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FILE – Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price speaks to reporters during an end-of-season press conference in Brossard, Que., Monday, April 9, 2018, file photo. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price voluntarily joined the joint NHL Player Support Program and the NHL Players Association in a stunning announcement on Thursday, October 7, 2021, less than a week before the start of the season and just three months after supporting Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press via AP, File)
MONTREAL (AP) – Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has voluntarily joined the joint NHL and NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program, a startling announcement on Thursday less than a week before the start of the season and just three months after the former NHL MVP backed Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final.
The league and the players’ union have said Price, 34, will be absent from the squad while he is on the program. The union did not say why he signed up for the program, but Price’s wife Angela cited mental health as the reason in an Instagram post showing Price and their three children.
“Part of the privilege of being in the position our family finds itself in is that we also get a public platform to show how it exists and can be a path for anyone who is in difficulty,” she wrote. “Whatever is at stake, we hope we can communicate the importance of putting your sanity first, not just by saying it, but by introducing yourself and doing the work to get better. Carey is showing up for himself and our family and making the best possible decision for us.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Price will be in the program for at least 30 days. He said the news took him by surprise, but he encouraged everyone to seek help when needed.
“Because your hockey career lasts so many years, but you have the rest of your life – your kids, your family – that’s the most important thing. “ he said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his support for Price on Thursday evening.
“Know that Canadians across the country wish only the best for you, Carey – and we are proud of you for taking care of yourself and putting your sanity first. “ Trudeau said help. “We have always supported you on the ice, and we will continue to support you off the ice. “
The mental health issue among professional and amateur athletes has grown in importance over the past year, with tennis star Naomi Osaka and Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles among those both citing it as the reason. for which they have withdrawn from certain competitions or events.
The question certainly familiar to Canadians. Star forward Jonathan Drouin has opened up about his anxiety and sleeplessness, which prompted him to take a hiatus from hockey last spring during Montreal’s playoff push.
“(It’s) the elephant in the room sometimes. We don’t say anything and it’s very personal. said Bergevin. “I salute them (for speaking out) and I’m glad they did. If there are other players in the NHL who have different issues, whatever they are, I think the NHL and NHLPA really care about the well-being of their players.
The NHL and NHLPA launched the Player Assistance Program in 1996, where players can call a confidential phone line. The jointly funded group helps gamers and their families with mental health, addiction and other issues. Advisors are available in every NHL city.
Price’s announcement reverberated throughout the NHL.
“The number of people that this will impact and the help by a guy of this magnitude who comes out and says he needs help will be astronomical,” former Montreal striker Dale Weise said.
The news comes a day after Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme said he would be unlikely to be ready for the start of the season as he recovered from an unspecified illness. Price is also recovering from off-season surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Price was extraordinary in leading the Canadiens on an unexpected run to the final over the summer, where they lost to Tampa Bay in five games. He won the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP and the Vézina Trophy as the best goalie in 2015 and he won Olympic gold for Canada.
Montreal initially expected Price to be ready for the start of camp. Instead, the Canadiens are expected to start the season with Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault as their goaltending tandem with Cayden Primeau also available.
Montreal is already facing the crisis: captain and veteran defender Shea Weber is facing injuries that could end his career. Phillip Danault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Corey Perry, Eric Staal and Tomas Tatar have moved on.
Montreal opens the season on October 13 to its great rival Toronto. Bergevin said he believes the team have enough leadership in the locker room to get through adversity.
“I do. I think we have a good group. he said.
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