Injured Blue Jackets forward Laine enters NHL/NHLPA player assistance program
25-year-old has acknowledged struggling with mental health at times in pro career
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine is entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league and union announced Sunday.
Laine will be away from the team indefinitely while he receives care from the joint program. Under the terms of the program, he can return to the team for practice and then games when cleared by administrators.
"Patrik has our complete support, and our sole concern is his well-being," said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, adding the organization would have no further comment out of respect for Laine.
The 25-year-old from Finland explained his absence in a social media post, thanking the team, league and fans for their understanding and support and saying he looks forward to "returning to the ice with a clear mind and renewed energy."
"After careful consideration and discussion with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being," Laine said on Instagram. "Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself."
Laine has acknowledged struggling with mental health at points over his professional career. In October, he pledged to donate $1,000 US to OhioHealth for mental health resources and support in the Columbus area.
Laine hasn't played since breaking his left clavicle during a game in mid-December. Because of injury, he's been limited to 18 games and recorded six goals and nine points.
The second pick in the 2016 draft by Winnipeg, Laine is in his third full season with the Blue Jackets, who acquired him in a trade with the Jets in 2021. He has 212 goals and 403 points in 504 NHL regular-season and playoff games.
Laine is the third player this season announced in the program by the NHL and NHLPA, joining Colorado's Samuel Girard in November and Avalanche teammate Valeri Nichushkin this month.
Girard, who opened up about anxiety and depression leading to alcohol abuse, was away from hockey for about a month. He returned to practice in November and played his first game on Dec. 31.
WATCH | NHLPA launches mental health program:
Canucks' Myers fined for elbowing
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers has been fined $5,000 US by the NHL for elbowing Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly.
The amount of the fine is the maximum allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement.
The six-foot-eight Myers lowered the boom on Kuraly with 8:09 remaining in the third period of Vancouver's 5-4 overtime victory versus visiting Columbus on Saturday. Myers was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for elbowing.
Myers, 33, has three goals, 18 points and a plus-13 rating in 49 games this season.
He has recorded 91 goals and 360 points in 967 contests with the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Canucks. He was drafted 12th overall by the Sabres in 2008 and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year in 2009-10.
With files from Field Level Media
