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Finding a natural alternative to opioids would be a major step not just in hockey, but across all sports.

“We’re all-in … in lots of different ways,” said Healy, who played in the NHL for 15 seasons.

The former broadcaster declined to say what exactly “all-in” means, but added: “We are diving into this in a huge way.”

“We’ve got a couple neurologists that are working with us,” Healy continued. “It’s not something I’m turning a blind eye to. It’s our players, it’s our life, it’s our families. It’s kids, it’s wives.

“I don’t get the calls from the players, I get the calls from the wives (and the) kids.”

Despite marijuana becoming legal in Canada last week, the NHL will continue testing current players for pot. A positive result doesn’t lead to a suspension on its own, but a high amount of the drug found in a player’s system triggers a referral to behavioural health program doctors.

Canada has seven NHL teams, while Colorado, home of the Avalanche, has allowed legal cannabis in the U.S. state for medical and personal use since 2012.

Some active players have already done some research on the potential benefits of pot’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oils.

“You’d be stupid not to at least look into it,” Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said prior to legalization in Canada. “When your body’s sore like it is sometimes, you don’t want to be taking pain stuff and taking Advil all the time. There’s obviously better ways to do it. … You’re seeing a lot of smart guys look into it. You’re seeing a lot of really smart doctors look into it.

“If all the boxes are checked there and it’s safe and everything like that, then I think you would maybe hear them out.”

That’s exactly the way Healy feels when it comes to the alumni.

“We are digging all-in,” he said. “If this can help our players then we’ll try to make a difference, but it’s got to be science-based.”

-With files from the Associated Press

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