Former NHL goalie Darling finds new profession in stand-up comedy

For Scott Darling, retirement as an NHL participant was not a straightforward transition.

“I bought depressed after I retired,” the 33-year-old former goalie informed SiriusXM NHL Community Radio on Thursday. “I used to be depressed for six months; I did not know what to do with my life. You reside this regimented life for thus lengthy after which it is gone and you are like, ‘What do I do, what do I do?’ I had to determine one thing to get me away from bed within the morning.”

And lately, he has. Darling, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title in 2015, has discovered a brand new ardour, surprising as it could be, that’s now filling that void left by the top of his enjoying profession: stand-up comedy.

“Who could be essentially the most shocked to listen to that I’m doing this?” Darling stated. “I might say anyone I performed hockey with, any of my teammates. I used to be quiet, man, I stared at my shoelaces, form of stored to myself simply because I am like an anxious nervous particular person and I simply wished to be there and do my job. As soon as I retired I spotted I could be myself now and I do know I am a goofball, I simply name myself that, I am a goofball.”

Darling final performed within the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes through the 2018-19 season. He spent the next season enjoying for Innsbruck HC in Austria earlier than a lone look with Rockford of the American Hockey League through the 2020-21 season.

His entrance into the world of stand-up comedy occurred virtually by fluke.

“I by no means thought I might really do it however I used to be on the Chuckle Manufacturing facility in Chicago and this man by the identify of Ray Wisbrock went on and he was hilarious,” Darling stated. “My humor could be very darkish and true tales about my life and this man had the identical sort of humor, an older man and he acknowledged me within the foyer from enjoying for the Blackhawks. We turned nice pals and he stated, ‘Simply open for me one time, and for those who do not prefer it, I will by no means ask you to do it once more.’ So I did it however I used to be so dangerous, however I cherished it and cherished the fun of it.”

Abruptly, the adrenaline that had been lacking in Darling’s life since retiring from the NHL had been rediscovered.

“It actually jogged my memory of the sensation of being in an NHL recreation, like that rush, you recognize?” he stated. “I am as loopy now about doing comedy as I used to be about enjoying hockey.”

Darling has been on the street this summer season touring with comic Ian Bagg and lately did a run of reveals in Raleigh, North Carolina, the place he as soon as performed.

“I went into Raleigh making enjoyable of the town and North Carolina and the group was like, ‘Ohhhh, you’ll be able to’t say that,’ ” Darling stated.

Up to now, Darling stated he has not needed to take care of too many hecklers from audiences however welcomes any critics who come his means, at their very own danger, in fact.

“I imply I seem like I am within the Hell’s Angels so individuals do not actually mess with me an excessive amount of,” he stated, “however I really like after I get the hecklers. I get so excited when somebody chirps me after I’m on stage as a result of I simply know I will eviscerate them.

“I have not had that many however the couple I’ve had it has been enjoyable for me. I really like participating the group, even [making them mad], form of. In actual life, I am a really good particular person however on stage I’ve form of a persona the place I come off as boastful and filled with myself, however I am doing that on goal.”

Darling listed Tom Segura, Chris Distefano, Bert Kreischer and Andrew Santino as his high comedic influences. When he performed, Carey Worth, Pekka Rinne and Ben Bishop had been goalies he stated he idolized, although maybe consistent with his on-stage persona, he talked about he’s the one who has gained a Stanley Cup.

In 2015, Darling turned considerably of a folks hero in Chicago when he gained three video games in opposition to the Nashville Predators within the Western Convention First Spherical, together with stopping all 42 pictures in aid of Corey Crawford in Sport 1 to guide the Blackhawks to a 4-3 double-overtime win and making 50 saves in a 3-2 triple-overtime victory in Sport 4.

“It was the good factor ever,” Darling stated of successful the Cup. “I am not going to sugarcoat it. I grew up in Chicago, I have been a ‘Hawks fan my complete life, I nonetheless am a ‘Hawks fan. … It meant the world to me. My household went to the parade in 2010, I watched 2013 with my mother on her sofa and being on the 2015 group and serving to them alongside, oh my God, it makes me emotional simply speaking about it.

“I feel that is the factor I hear most strolling across the metropolis to this present day. I imply, I am a noticeable man, I do not disguise nicely, I am 6-6, bought a beard and coated in tattoos and all I hear is individuals yelling, ‘Nashville 2015!’ to me. It is in all probability essentially the most heard factor in my life. I am identical to, ‘Yeah, that was me, I used to be there!'”

Photographs: Jessica Lenai