Since the Islanders announced Simon's leave of absence for counseling, I have learned that Simon has been battling with alcoholism for many years now. His personal issues off the ice weigh far greater than this suspension right now. For a man who once hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche, this is a bitter end to his hockey career.

While some rejoice that there will be no more senseless violent acts from Chris Simon, there is also the human side to all of this. First and foremost, you never bring what is happening in the outside world to the ice. It can endanger someone's life.

The Islanders should have addressed this situation during his last suspension when he viciously attacked Ryan Hollweg in the heat of the moment. Twenty-five games and a whole off-season could have provided a lot of much needed counseling time for Simon. The warning signs were there all along. The acts of senseless violence against others while Simon was on the ice have been accumulating over the years.

In a brief second, he can snap. Hockey fans have seen it before. Most times, we are not cheering him on. We are just nodding our heads in disbelief and thinking, "How stupid could he be??? Why would he do something like that?"

NHL teams have stood behind their players while they are going through the roughest patches of their lives. They have always offered the support the player needed and backed them up, until it got too out of hand. They never turn their backs on a fellow player. This time, it looks like the NHL is starting to turn their back on Simon, as a player.

At this late in the game, there is not much therapy that can help a 35-year old player on their way to retirement. As a human being, now is the time for an intervention.

Garth Snow issued the following announcement shortly after the NHL's decision, "Since Saturday night, the focus of the New York Islanders has been on Chris Simon the person, not him as a player or on his place in our lineup. As we announced on Monday, the Islanders are going to provide Chris the time and support that he needs for counseling. For Chris right now, hockey must be secondary to the priority of taking care of himself."

One less goon on the ice is a victory for hockey. One man seeking to change his life for the better is a victory for everyone.

I wish Chris Simon the best of luck in his counseling/therapy. May it one day save someone else from his wrath...but most of all...save himself.