smbmetal wrote:In DeLuca’s case he potentially brought the Steelers name into disrepute with a failed drug test. So from my point of view he deserves no welcoming back.
I agree, he didn't put in to the team as much as he got out, and honestly I believe we would be better without him anyway. No druggies please!
The failed drug test was a residual trace of cannabis smoked legally off season in Canada. At worst I would say he was foolish not to realise this may be picked up and be a problem in Europe where it is mostly still illegal. So to call him a druggie is a bit strong in my view.
I’m sure any team that was interested in taking him on will have made sure there’ll be no repeat.
I’m not Deluca fan and I would’ve been very surprised if we had taken him back given peoples attitudes to drugs but I’ll be very disappointed if he scores against us in our games against Manchester especially given our shortage of natural goal scorers, so far.
Btw I take prescription meds only and have never smoked cannabis but I can understand there are reasons why some people would. What’s more difficult for me is to condemn people as druggies without understanding why they do it.
As for the club’s reputation, maybe I’ve missed
something but I can’t see that it’s been harmed very much, if at all.
I’d have had him back. Smoked a legal
Substance in Canada, but was foolish not to think it could still have been in his system. We lack goals atm and he can score, but not the best at defending tho. Couple goals against us tonight to start him off I think he’ll do well for Storm…
I'd have a listen to the latest 2Ales and Hockey Tales podcast with DeLuca. Might be his side of the story but worth listening to. Given how open he is about it, I'm definitely inclined to believe he's being honest.
Also worth noting that he alludes to some things away from hockey creating conditions that contributed to his decision making. Hockey players are people, and have real life pressures away from the rink. He took something that is legal in Canada, out of competition, and is no longer a banned substance in the league's in NA. And even then he says that the rules are in place and he got pinged fair and square.
I think as well it probably makes sense why his form was not great, as by sounds of it he got tested 1st game of the year, so I can imagine that hanging over him was a reason for some below par performance.
I get why we didn't re-sign him, but I've got no issue with him playing, and I'd have no issue with him coming back here at some point.
End of the day, he's potentially a 25+ goal scorer - if he fits in the team you're building why wouldn't you look at him
ginger wrote:I'd have a listen to the latest 2Ales and Hockey Tales podcast with DeLuca. Might be his side of the story but worth listening to. Given how open he is about it, I'm definitely inclined to believe he's being honest.
Also worth noting that he alludes to some things away from hockey creating conditions that contributed to his decision making. Hockey players are people, and have real life pressures away from the rink. He took something that is legal in Canada, out of competition, and is no longer a banned substance in the league's in NA. And even then he says that the rules are in place and he got pinged fair and square.
I think as well it probably makes sense why his form was not great, as by sounds of it he got tested 1st game of the year, so I can imagine that hanging over him was a reason for some below par performance.
I get why we didn't re-sign him, but I've got no issue with him playing, and I'd have no issue with him coming back here at some point.
End of the day, he's potentially a 25+ goal scorer - if he fits in the team you're building why wouldn't you look at him
I was listening to the Lindroth Hockey Podcast, also with DeLuca, and he did say some interesting things. I still disagree though. Good signing for Manchester, one they've been in dire need of, but I wouldn't welcome him back here. He probably won't come back, he said he'd be perfectly happy to re-sign with the Storm.
All I can say is that it's a good job ice hockey was not anywhere near as closely screened back in the 90s as it is today - loads on steroids (actual performance enhancing drugs!), plus half the players were borderline alcoholics and the other half there was no borderline about it.
But hey alcohol legal so it's fine that players were hungover/still drunk/actually drunk. There are several incidents that older Steelers fans probably remember hearing about - doubt many wanted players involved to be sacked (the Hunter's Bar roundabout story for example!)
DeLuca mentioned that he skates with a number of NHLers during off seasons and that most of them take some form of cannabis products - he doesn't mention names (which is fair), but would we not want those players either? Are they druggies?
It's not that I don't think DeLuca should have been a bit smarter, and should have thought about the rules for the country he's playing in, but I just don't think what he's done should condemn him to be never a player we should consider signing
