Georges Laraque is stepping down as executive director of the Canadian Hockey League Players' Association amid a controversy surrounding the identity of the CHLPA's spokesperson and a coach who's been convicted off fraud. Derek Clarke is also calling it quits as the union's spokesperson. TSN reports that there have been two people using Clarke's name in the union business, and the CHL believes one of those people is Randy Gumbley, a former hockey coach who has been convicted of fraud in connection to junior hockey players. What's even stranger is that there is a Gumbley in the CHLPA, but that's Glenn, Randy's younger brother. "The CHLPA categorically denies that Randy Gumbley has any official position with the CHLPA," the union said in a statement reported by the Toronto Star.

Georges Laraque wants one more opportunity in the NHL and would love to end his career with the Edmonton Oilers. Laraque last played in the NHL in January of 2010 as the Montreal Canadiens eventually bought out the last year of his contract as he had a no-movement clause. "I told my agent (Steve Kotlowitz) I'd sign anywhere. I'll take a physical. I'll sign a one-year minimum (salary). I'd come in like a rookie," the 35-year-old Laraque said. "At my age I wouldn't expect to play every game and if I went from nine minutes a game to four or five, that's fine. I could be a veteran role player. I can't see how a team could turn me down with those terms if they want toughness. I want to end on my own terms and I have something to prove. I'm going to be so motivated to play again." Laraque would love the Oilers as his children still live in Edmonton. Should he catch on, his value in fantasy pools will be limited to penalty minutes.

Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque wants the NHL and NHLPA to establish counselling programs for players of his ilk in the wake of a series of tragic and troubling deaths. "Listen, they have to step up," he said. "Now more than ever, people have to realize that the job that we did is a really stressful job. Mentally, it's one of the hardest things. There's so many guys that have demons and problems with that. We have to do something. This, as sad as an incident that it is, is tainting the image of the NHL. If we don't do something about it, it's going to be bad. It's not going to be safe anymore. It's unbelievable." Rick Rypien suffered from depression and was found dead last month, while Derek Boogaard passed away following a mixture of alcohol and oxycodone in May. Wade Belak's demons haven't been revealed, but he was discovered dead on Wednesday. Something needs to be done by the league and its players to prevent these tragedies from ever happening again.