Denver Post fires Avalanche writer Adrian Dater

Adrian Dater always seemed on his way to a blow-up.  After multiple very public episodes of bombastic behavior throughout his career, Dater was let go by the Denver Post after over two decades at the paper this week.  Dater was one of the longest tenured hockey reporters on the continent, having covered the Colorado Avalanche for the major-market paper for almost 20 years ever since the team moved from Quebec.

Dater has been credited for breaking a couple major stories in his career like the Nordiques’ move to Colorado to become the Avalanche and the end of the 2012-2013 NHL Lockout.  But he also became known for his volatile and sometimes offensive behavior.

Just two months ago, Dater was suspended for going on various profane tirades through social media and e-mail.  The firing this week was prompted by more impropriety on social media, this time through harassing private messages with a female hockey fan.

Dater announced on his Facebook page that he had been relieved of his duties.  He also revealed problems with substance abuse and depression and pledged to get help.

Below is Dater’s statement:

Friends
My long association with the Post came to an end today. That’s a really bad thing to have to write, but it’s reality.
I said a bunch of stupid things on social media once too often. It was unprofessional and I paid the price.
Social media and I were always going to be a dangerous mix. I’m opinionated and have the occasional real hot temper. 
But my problems were deeper than that.
I’ve had some pretty bad substance abuse problems. Every single time I got myself in trouble with my mouth, substances helped play a role, probably a big one.
I tried to deny it was a big problem but it obviously was and is.
A lifestyle of a lot of late nights away from home in lonely hotel rooms and a stressful lifestyle at times kind of caught up with me. I used too many wrong things as coping mechanisms. I also have dealt with manic depression for years and when the real dark moods come over me I tend to do things to hurt myself more. I don’t want these to be used as excuses or to win sympathy. But I’m just adding explanations of what I’ve had problems with. 
I do believe some things said about me recently in accusatory manners is totally false, with people misrepresenting things. Some things that have been written about one incident are completely wrong. 
But the bottom line is I caused my own problems and have to own them.
I’ve been seeking more in-depth help for some of my problems and if I could ask for one thing, it’s that you hope for the best that I can.
I know I’m a good person down deep, but greatly flawed.
It was my pleasure writing on the Avalanche for 20 years for a great paper. Nobody can take those memories away. 
I love my family and the No. 1 thing I need to do is try and make them proud of me again.
I’m so sorry I let people down. I hope to some day write a happier comeback story for you to read.
Adrian