Background
Born in Newport News, Virginia, Darling was the son of an Army officer who was stationed at Fort Darling grew up in Chicago"s southern suburb of Lemont, Illinois and as a child, idolized the Chicago Blackhawks" goaltender Editor Belfour.
Born in Newport News, Virginia, Darling was the son of an Army officer who was stationed at Fort Darling grew up in Chicago"s southern suburb of Lemont, Illinois and as a child, idolized the Chicago Blackhawks" goaltender Editor Belfour.
He attended Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan in 8th grade and played American Automobile Association hockey for the Hounds. He attended Lemont High School.
He was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the sixth round, 153rd overall, of the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Lewis, Washington and Fort Rucker, Alabama before the family finally settled in the Chicago suburb of Lemont. He played youth hockey with the Associate of Arts Vikings (Orland Park), Associate of Arts Huskies (Darien), and American Automobile Association Team Illinois and Chicago Young Americans.
At the University of Maine, he was involved in excessive partying and by his sophomore year was abusing alcohol.
He frequently violated the school"s code of conduct and was given 3 suspensions within a 16-month period resulting in him being dropped from the hockey team After bouncing around for several years through various minor hockey leagues, his goalie coach Brian Daccord said that he was not permitted to play at his hockey school until he made a dedicated commitment to the gym.
lieutenant was at this time, he lost nearly 40 lbs and gave up alcohol in 2011. Darling said even at the lowest point, after being cut from what might have been the worst team in organized hockey, he never forgot something his father told him about getting ahead: "lieutenant was kind of like his motto — "Saw the wood that"s in front of you.""
On January 31st, 2016, Darling"s girlfriend, Martha posted a picture of her engagement ring to her Instagram and mentioned Darling.
Darling confirmed the engagement the following day on his Instagram.
Collegiate
Prior to turning professional, Darling attended the University of Maine, where he played two seasons of National Collegiate Athletic Association Men"s Division I Ice Hockey with the Black Bears ice hockey team Professional
In the 2013-2014 season, Darling enjoyed his most successful American Hockey League (AHL) season, earning 13 wins in 26 games with the Milwaukee Admirals. On July 1, 2014, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Darling as a free agent to his first National Hockey League contract on a one-year deal.
He became the first former Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) player to play in an National Hockey League game.
On November 1, 2014, it was announced that Darling had been reassigned to the Blackhawks" AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, following starting goaltender Corey Crawford"s recovery from an upper-body injury. However, he was recalled two weeks later, on November 15, 2014.
On February 22, 2015, Darling was promoted from Rockford and placed onto Chicago"s National Hockey League roster, replacing Antti Raanta as the team"s backup goaltender, whom himself was demoted to Rockford. The Blackhawks also signed a Darling to a two-year contract extension.
On March 18, 2015, Darling recorded his first National Hockey League shutout in a Blackhawks" victory over the New York Rangers.
Darling set an National Hockey League record in his debut for the longest relief appearance without allowing a goal (67:44), as well as the most saves in relief without allowing a goal (42).