Former Penguins winger Billy Tibbetts has voluntarily checked into a Nevada treatment facility to deal with his anger issues, his agent said. “Billy's just getting some treatment to work on a few of his off-ice issues in hopes of getting himself under control,” Boston-based agent Paul Krepelka said. “He's been out there about a week to 10 days. It's not substance-related; by no means is it drugs or alcohol. It's a behavioral issue. He has some anger-management and behavioral issues he has to work on.” The NHL and the NHL Players' Association operate the program jointly and provide a network of professionals to help players. Tibbetts, 27, was waived by the Philadelphia Flyers on April 8 after spending only three weeks with the team. The Penguins traded him to the Flyers on March 17 in exchange for center Kent Manderville, thereby terminating Tibbetts' stormy tenure with the Penguins. One wonders at this point whether Tibbetts, who has spent time in prison, can find a niche in society, much less the NHL. “There's obviously a concern,” Krepelka said. “The purpose of doing this was not just for hockey but for himself, so that he can be a functioning member of society.” The Penguins signed Tibbetts on April 10, 2000, after he'd spent 3 years in a Massachusetts prison upon being convicted of assault and battery with a deadly weapon —a BB gun —and violating probation from a statutory rape charge to which he pleaded guilty in 1994. He spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins, recording two goals, seven assists, 188 penalty minutes and a minus-15 rating in 62 games. The team made him available on league-wide waivers more than once. The NHL suspended Tibbetts twice last season for on-ice incidents, and he was suspended from two more games during his time with the Flyers. On Feb. 14, Tibbetts was ticketed for driving 120 mph on his way to practice for the Penguins' farm team in Wilkes-Barre. State police fined him $483. On the day he was traded to the Flyers, Tibbetts left a threatening message on the cell phone of Penguins teammate Eric Meloche. Nothing came of it, either by way of Tibbetts following through or the NHL taking action against Tibbetts. “I think the league did its own investigation,” Krepelka said. “We talked to Pittsburgh management, and they felt comfortable it was resolved. (Tibbetts) wasn't threatened (with punitive action).” Tibbetts had a confrontational encounter – strictly verbal —with Philadelphia reporters when the Flyers visited Mellon Arena six days after the trade. When he was waived April 8, no team claimed him. He had an assist and 69 penalty minutes in nine games with the Flyers. After consulting with Krepelka and Rick Curran, agents who work for The Orr Hockey Group in Boston, Tibbetts decided to check himself into the facility. There is no timetable for his check-out. Tibbetts is free to leave the facility at any time. He is expected to return home to Boston, although he still has an apartment in Shadyside, Krepelka said. Time will tell whether Tibbetts will get another chance to play professional hockey. He had an NHL salary of $583,038 this past season. It was a one-year contract. “I think he'll get another shot, because he can help from a hockey standpoint,” Krepelka said. “If he can prove to teams that his issues are resolved, I think he'll get another shot, but I can't say I'd guarantee it. He has some work to do on a personal side.”

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