Last month, Carey Price left the Montreal Canadiens to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Today, he released a statement explaining why he left and what his next steps will look like:
Over the last few years I have let myself get to a very dark place and I didn’t have the tools to cope with that struggle. Last month I made the decision to enter a residential treatment facility for substance use. Things had reached a point that I realized I needed to prioritize my health for both myself and for my family. Asking for help when you need it is what we encourage our kids to do. And it was what I needed to do.
I am working through years of neglecting my own mental health which will take some time to repair; all I can do is take it day by day. With that comes some uncertainty with when I will return to play. I appreciate all of the overwhelming support and well wishes. I please ask that the media and our hockey community continue to respect our privacy at this time. Your support and respect of this so far has been a critical piece to my recovery.
Price has not yet played this season and was recovering from offseason surgery at the time of his departure from the team. Now back with the club, it is not clear when he will return to action.
A 14-year veteran of the NHL, Price has won the Vezina, Hart, Jennings, and Ted Lindsay awards, an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada and sits 27th on the all-time list of games played by a goaltender. His 360 regular season wins put him 21st on the all-time list, and his 43 postseason victories put him 28th.
Respect. That’s all I gotta say. Absolute respect.
Take care of you Carey. I wish you well in this battle.
Proud of you Carey. I’m also very proud of your wife, the way she showed leadership and support with the statements she made when this started a few months ago. I was truly blown away, and have admiration for you both. Nobody is perfect. I’m not even a Habs fan, but I want you to know there are a lot of us pulling for you.
I certainly understand his desire to explain his absence, but I’d rather situations like this be kept from the public. The player should never forgo his own right to privacy about certain matters.
Well he didn’t have to elaborate. He chose to. Maybe this is part of the healing process for him – being completely open and transparent about it.
@manos – Understood, but if there is a similar situation in the future, the noisy public will expect him to disclose all, when it might not be appropriate to do so. I maintain it’s not our business to interject ourselves into his personal life. And, yes, it may very well prove to be therapeutic for him doing this. If so, then more power to him. I’m rooting for him in this, not against him. This is a health issue.
Often the biggest obstacle for those battling mental health issues is being open about it. This could be a huge recovery step for him. Instead of hiding his emotions and mental health he can be who he is. Instead of wearing that mask that shows the smiling face he can be him. And that’s a huge step forward
@TJECK109 – Once again, I understand that position, but don’t share the same view of its therapeutic usefulness. It just boils down to what works for Carey and his family.
A class act. He is going to get through this and succeed.
Carey you are a much loved Role Model and a huge heart. I don’t think I have respect another hockey player as much as you. The hockey world and Canadians ( if not much of the world) is behind you. You take all the time you need. We are Rooting for you. Remember this Hockey is a game and your a true legend already. Take care of yourself and your family. Find your peace.. love seeing that smile. Find it again.
If Carey Price’s example helps even one other person have the same courage to take care of their mental health, so much the better. All the best to Carey and his family.
This is amazing to be this open about his struggles. I will be rooting for him.
So he’s an alcoholic and went to rehab. Simple as that. I’ve done it, it’s not that crazy or brave or amazing. I’m happy for him but it’s really not that special.
I think it was pain meds. Especially after surgery and probably before too.
Good luck to him.
They can pay me $10 million a year to go to rehab! Or even $1 million!