The NHL's commissioner expects the league to review its substance abuse and behavioural health program following the death of two players this summer.
Gary Bettman told The Canadian Press that talks will happen with the players' association to make sure that the league is comfortable with all of the "mechanisms and programs" in place of the NHL-NHLPA counseling program.
Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien, 27, and New York Rangers tough guy Derek Boogaard, 28, both spent time in the program which runs in conjunction with the NHL Players' association.
"I don't think any sports league does more than we do but maybe there's more, as we focus on it, that we need to focus on," Bettman said. "I know it's always hard for people to accept, but sports is a microcosm of society in general."
Rypien died on Monday at his home in Crowsnest Pass, Alta. Police are calling his death "sudden and non-suspicious."
Boogaard died in May of an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.
Both the league and the union are reluctant to divulge specific details about the program due to privacy concerns.
Mathieu Schneider, the NHLPA's special adviser, said the support program is strong but he also shares Bettman's desire to look closely at ways it can be improved.
"I think there certainly has to be some work done in addressing issues," Schneider said. "If anything could have been done that would have helped those players, if anything can be done to help future players, we certainly need to do it."
Rypien took two leaves of absences during six seasons with the Canucks to deal with personal issues.
The New York Post reported that Boogaard had been receiving counseling through the NHL-NHLPA program.
With files from The Canadian Press
