Utah goaltender Connor Ingram entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program today and will be out indefinitely, Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic reports. In a corresponding move, the club recalled netminder Jaxson Stauber from AHL Tucson earlier Sunday.
Ingram, now 27, missed most of the 2020-21 season after entering the program while a member of the Predators organization. He later told NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin that he sought help after dealing with undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder throughout his career. After moving to the Coyotes in the 2022 offseason, he emerged as their starter for the 2023-24 campaign and won the Masterton Trophy for the “player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey” after a 23-win, six-shutout campaign.
Now the No. 2 option to Karel Vejmelka in Utah, Ingram missed over a month with the team initially termed an upper-body injury earlier in the season. Upon his return, he informed reporters his mother had passed away and, understandably, took extended time off (via Belle Fraser of the Salt Lake Tribune).
In 22 starts for the Club this season, Ingram has a 9-8-4 record, .882 SV%, and a 3.27 GAA. The 25-year-old Stauber has done quite well when called upon to elevate from his minor-league starting role, posting a .925 SV% and 2.23 GAA in four appearances earlier this season.
All of us at Pro Hockey Rumors wish Ingram the best as he takes time away from the lineup. He’ll be eligible to return to play upon the determination of program administrators.
That stinks. Seemed like he had his issues behind him.
not many pucks behind him with those 6 shutouts last season though, hopefully he recovers from his issues and gets back to form, he was essentially a steal from Nashville
The current solar cycle is contributing to the increased mental health imbalances felt by those who’ve previously had challenges finding balance and/or peace of mind. Healing vibes to those out there struggling.
That is one of the stupidest things I ever read.
It’s also one of the least empathetic things one could say in this situation.
It’s always scary when a player gets injured. Not just for the impact on their bodies and potentially their careers, but for the opioids prescribed by quack doctors and the amount of time left stewing in your own head.