Scott Darling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scott Darling |
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Darling with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2014
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| Born | December 22, 1988 Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | ||
| Weight | 232 lb (105 kg; 16 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Chicago Blackhawks Carolina Hurricanes HC TWK Innsbruck |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 153rd overall, 2007 Phoenix Coyotes |
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| Playing career | 2010–2021 | ||
Scott Darling (born December 22, 1988) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender from America. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes. The Phoenix Coyotes picked Darling in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Darling won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2015. He was the first player from the Chicago area to win the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blackhawks.
Contents
Scott Darling's Hockey Journey
Early Years and College Hockey
Scott Darling grew up in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago. As a child, he looked up to Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Ed Belfour. He played minor ice hockey for several local teams. He also played in the 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.
Before becoming a professional, Darling played college hockey at the University of Maine. He played for the Black Bears ice hockey team for two seasons. During his time at university, he faced challenges that led to him leaving the team.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
After college, Darling played in different minor hockey leagues for several years. His coach, Brian Daccord, told him he needed to get in better shape. Darling worked hard, lost weight, and became very dedicated to hockey.
In the 2013–14 season, Darling had a great year in the American Hockey League (AHL). He won 13 games in 26 appearances for the Milwaukee Admirals.
Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks
On July 1, 2014, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Darling to his first NHL contract. He made his NHL debut on October 26, 2014, against the Ottawa Senators. Darling made 32 saves and helped his team win 2–1. He was the first player from the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) to play in an NHL game.
In February 2015, Darling became the backup goaltender for the Blackhawks. The team also signed him to a two-year contract extension. On March 18, 2015, Darling earned his first NHL shutout against the New York Rangers.
During the 2015 playoffs, Darling stepped in for the starting goalie, Corey Crawford. He made 42 saves in a crucial game against the Nashville Predators, helping the Blackhawks win in double overtime. Darling set an NHL record for the longest relief appearance without letting in a goal (67 minutes, 44 seconds). On June 15, 2015, Scott Darling achieved his dream of winning the Stanley Cup with his hometown team, the Blackhawks.
Time with the Carolina Hurricanes
After the 2016–17 season, Darling's rights were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. He signed a four-year contract with them on May 6, 2017. His first season with Carolina was a bit tough, as he had a record of 13 wins, 21 losses, and 7 overtime losses.
In November 2018, Darling was sent to the Hurricanes' AHL team, the Charlotte Checkers. He later took a personal leave from the team. In June 2019, Darling was traded to the Florida Panthers, and his contract was bought out.
Playing in Europe and Retirement
Darling signed with Innsbruck HC in Austria in November 2019. He played 33 games there before returning to the United States in March 2020 due to the global pandemic.
As a free agent, Darling tried out for the Florida Panthers in January 2021. He then signed a tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks' AHL team. He played one game for the IceHogs before being released in February 2021. After this, Scott Darling decided to retire from professional hockey. He shared how much it meant to him to play for the Blackhawks, his favorite team growing up.
International Hockey Experience
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  United States |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| Bronze | 2018 Denmark | |
Darling played for the United States in the 2018 IIHF World Championship. He helped the team win a bronze medal by defeating Canada 4–1. He played in two games, winning one.
He also played for Team USA in the Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic in Australia in 2016.
Life After Hockey
After retiring from hockey, Scott Darling needed time to adjust to his new life. He found a new passion in stand-up comedy. A comedian at Chicago's Laugh Factory encouraged him to try it. By summer 2022, he was touring with comedian Ian Bagg.
In October 2022, Darling also became a studio analyst for Blackhawks coverage on NBC Sports Chicago. This means he talks about hockey on TV.
Personal Life and Good Deeds
Scott Darling was born in Newport News, Virginia. His family moved around because his father was in the Army, eventually settling in Lemont, Illinois.
In 2016, Darling showed his kindness by helping a homeless man in Arizona. He bought him groceries and paid for a hotel room for a month. This story became widely known after his Uber driver shared it. President Barack Obama even praised Darling for his good deed during the Blackhawks' visit to the White House.
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| NHL | ||
| Stanley Cup (Chicago Blackhawks) | 2015 | |
