NHLPA UNLMT
One-on-one coaching, assessments, and help with education (including degree completion) and exploring careers outside hockey.
Who's eligible: Current and former NHLPA members (NHL players). Check eligibility with the NHLPA.
Resources
Programs and benefits many players don't know they have, gathered in one place. Every link goes to an official source.
Resources from earlier stages may still apply to you, such as CHL scholarships after juniors or alumni networks after you retire. Immigration: Line Change Alliance does not provide legal advice. These are general official sources, so please talk to a qualified immigration attorney about your situation. In crisis? Call or text 988 (US and Canada) or call 911.
Few resources here are specific to European or overseas leagues, but many of the general ones still apply. Know a good one? Tell us.
Career & education
Boston College Woods College of Advancing Studies
A Boston College school for adult and non-traditional students, with online, hybrid, and in-person degrees. Under a 2025 agreement with the NHLPA, it reviews transfer credits case by case for NHLPA members finishing a degree.
Who's eligible: Open to adult applicants. The NHLPA agreement covers current and former NHLPA members.
Syracuse University part-time and online study
Part-time and fully online degrees, certificates, and microcredentials built for working adults, with academic advising.
Who's eligible: Open to adult applicants. Check admission requirements with Syracuse.
The PHPA Guild
The AHL/ECHL players' association program for education (academic guidance, scholarships, tuition discounts), career transition, and health and wellness.
Who's eligible: Current PHPA members (AHL and ECHL players) and PHPA alumni.
CHL education scholarships
The CHL's leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) offer post-secondary scholarships tied to seasons played. Each league has its own rules and deadlines.
Who's eligible: Current and former CHL players. Check eligibility and deadlines with your league's education staff.
Official site → · OHL player info · QMJHL scholarship allocation
NHL Alumni Association transition support
The NHLAA offers former NHL players and their families transition help, such as career resources, online courses, and mentorship.
Who's eligible: Former NHL players. Check eligibility with the NHLAA. Its BreakAway program has required at least one NHL regular-season game.
Nothing in this group is specific to your stage yet. Choose "Show everything" to see general resources.
Health, safety & wellbeing
Private help
Want to talk to someone without your team or league knowing? These options are confidential and separate from your team: 988 (US), 9-8-8 (Canada), Crisis Text Line, Athletes Soul, FindTreatment.gov, or finding your own therapist. Look for the Confidential tag.
If you were hurt, on a team or anywhere else, it was not your fault. The abuse resources below are for anyone, at any age, whether it happened years ago or is happening now.
NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program (SABH)
A program run jointly by the NHL and NHLPA (formerly the Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program) that offers confidential counseling and treatment for mental health, substance use, and other personal issues. Your treatment details are confidential, but a player's absence from the team is often noticed or announced (for example, "away from the team") and can become public. If you want help no one else has to know about, see the private options in this section.
Who's eligible: NHL players and their families. There is no public sign-up page, so ask your NHLPA representative.
PHPA mental health and assistance program
A free, confidential, 24/7 support line that connects players and their families with trained professionals for stress, mental health, relationships, injury, and more.
Who's eligible: AHL and ECHL players and their families. Alumni: check eligibility with the PHPA.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) Confidential
Free, confidential support 24/7. Call or text 988, or chat online, if you're struggling or worried about someone.
Who's eligible: Anyone in the US.
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada) Confidential
Free, confidential support 24/7. Call or text 988 anywhere in Canada.
Who's eligible: Anyone in Canada.
Crisis Text Line Confidential
Free, 24/7 support by text from a trained crisis counselor.
Who's eligible: Anyone. See the site for how to reach it in your country.
FindTreatment.gov Confidential
The US government's confidential locator for mental health and substance use treatment near you.
Who's eligible: Anyone in the US.
Athletes Soul Confidential
A nonprofit that helps athletes through the transition out of sport with peer mentoring, group and one-on-one transition coaching, and a self-paced course.
Who's eligible: Former and transitioning athletes. Check program details with Athletes Soul.
Find your own therapist Confidential
Search for a licensed therapist near you, or one who works online, by location, specialty, and insurance. You choose who you see, and your team doesn't have to be involved.
Who's eligible: Anyone. Costs and insurance vary by provider.
US Center for SafeSport
The independent US organization for reporting sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sport, including USA Hockey. You can make a report online.
Who's eligible: Anyone, about abuse in US Olympic-movement sport, past or present.
Kids Help Phone Confidential
Free, confidential, 24/7 counseling for young people in Canada by phone, text, or chat, about anything from stress to abuse.
Who's eligible: Young people in Canada. Check the site for age details.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
A Canadian charity with information and support on child sexual abuse, including help for survivors and families and ways to report.
Who's eligible: Anyone in Canada, including adults affected by abuse they experienced as children.
National Domestic Violence Hotline Confidential
Free, confidential, 24/7 support by phone, text, or chat for anyone experiencing abuse in a relationship, or worried about how they treat a partner.
Who's eligible: Anyone in the US.
love is respect Confidential
Confidential support and information about healthy relationships, dating abuse, and boundaries, for young people and the people who care about them.
Who's eligible: Young people in the US, and anyone supporting them.
Alcoholics Anonymous Confidential
Free peer support meetings, in person and online, for anyone who wants to stop drinking. Meetings are anonymous.
Who's eligible: Anyone with a desire to stop drinking.
SMART Recovery Confidential
Free science-based mutual-support meetings, in person and online, for drinking, drugs, and other addictive behaviors.
Who's eligible: Anyone.
Nothing in this group is specific to your stage yet. Choose "Show everything" to see general resources.
Immigration
USCIS: P-1A athletes
The official overview of the P-1A classification many pro players hold, including who qualifies and how long status lasts.
Who's eligible: Internationally recognized athletes. Check your situation with a qualified immigration attorney.
USCIS: O-1 extraordinary ability
The official page on O-1 visas for people with extraordinary ability or achievement, a route some athletes and former athletes look into.
Who's eligible: Check eligibility with a qualified immigration attorney.
USCIS: TN status (USMCA professionals)
The official page on TN status for Canadian and Mexican citizens working in certain professional jobs.
Who's eligible: Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions. Check eligibility with a qualified immigration attorney.
USCIS: Employment-based green cards
The official overview of permanent residence through employment, including the EB categories.
Who's eligible: Check eligibility with a qualified immigration attorney.
USCIS: Adjustment of status
How people already in the US may apply for a green card without leaving the country.
Who's eligible: Check eligibility with a qualified immigration attorney.
Study in the States (DHS)
The Department of Homeland Security's official guide to student visas, for players who want to go back to school in the US.
Who's eligible: International students. Check your situation with your school's international office or an attorney.
DOJ: Find legal representation (EOIR)
The Justice Department's official page for finding accredited representatives, recognized organizations, and pro bono legal help.
Who's eligible: Anyone looking for qualified immigration help.
AILA Immigration Lawyer Search
The American Immigration Lawyers Association's directory for finding a licensed immigration attorney.
Who's eligible: Anyone looking for an immigration attorney.
USCIS: Find legal services and avoid scams
Official advice on who can legally give immigration help and how to avoid scams by people who can't.
Who's eligible: Anyone.
Nothing in this group is specific to your stage yet. Choose "Show everything" to see general resources.
Money & financial literacy
Signing bonuses, cross-border taxes, and the day the paychecks stop are hard for everyone, and no one teaches this in the locker room. Before trusting anyone with your money, check their record. Fee-only fiduciary advisors are paid by you, not by commissions.
IRS: Nonresident aliens and Publication 519
Official US tax guidance for people who aren't US citizens, including nonresident and dual-status filers, which can apply to Canadian and international players.
Who's eligible: Non-US citizens with US income. Check your situation with a qualified cross-border tax professional.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The US government agency with plain-English tools on budgeting, debt, credit, and filing complaints about financial companies.
Who's eligible: Anyone in the US.
FINRA BrokerCheck
Free tool to look up a broker or firm's background, licenses, and any disciplinary history before you trust them with money.
Who's eligible: Anyone.
SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
The SEC's free search for checking an investment adviser's registration and record, plus investor education at Investor.gov.
Who's eligible: Anyone.
NAPFA: Find a fee-only advisor
A directory of fee-only financial advisors, who are paid by you rather than by commissions on products they sell.
Who's eligible: Anyone. Always verify an advisor with BrokerCheck or the SEC search too.
Report fraud (FTC) and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Official places to report scams and fraud, and learn about common schemes, in the US and Canada.
Who's eligible: Anyone.
NHL pension and benefits (NHL/NHLPA CBA)
Former NHL players may have pension and other benefits. The rules are set in the collective bargaining agreement.
Who's eligible: Depends on games and service credited. Check eligibility with the NHLPA.
NHL Alumni post-retirement wellness plan
NHL.com reports that a 2026 plan funded by the NHL and NHLPA gives former players health supports, including access to a family doctor and mental health care for players and families.
Who's eligible: Former NHL players. Check eligibility and details with the NHL Alumni Association.
AHL and ECHL player benefits (PHPA)
The PHPA explains what the AHL and ECHL collective bargaining agreements cover, including health and welfare benefits, career enhancement, and a member assistance program that covers drug, alcohol, financial, and stress counseling.
Who's eligible: AHL and ECHL players. Check your benefits with the PHPA.
Nothing in this group is specific to your stage yet. Choose "Show everything" to see general resources.
Community
PHPA Alumni Network
A free network for former PHPA members, with career mentorship, networking events, partner discounts, and virtual Alumni Locker Room calls.
Who's eligible: Former AHL and ECHL players (PHPA alumni).
NHL Alumni Association
A membership association for former NHL players with local chapters, events, and member support.
Who's eligible: Former NHL players.
USA Hockey
Ways to stay in the game by coaching, officiating, or volunteering in US amateur hockey.
Who's eligible: Anyone. Coaching and officiating have their own certification requirements.
Hockey Canada
Ways to stay in the game by coaching, officiating, or volunteering in Canadian hockey.
Who's eligible: Anyone. Coaching and officiating have their own certification requirements.
Nothing in this group is specific to your stage yet. Choose "Show everything" to see general resources.
Last verified: Oct 2026. Programs and eligibility change, so always confirm details with the organization. Know a resource we should add? Email linechangealliance@gmail.com. Line Change Alliance is a nonprofit in formation (501(c)(3) status pending) and is not affiliated with the organizations listed.
You don't have to figure out what comes next alone.
Whether you just played your last game or hung up your skates years ago, reach out. We'll listen.