If there is one in the Canadiens locker room who can grasp the loneliness that Carey Price experienced in the face of his demons, it is Jonathan Drouin.
Posted at 4:00 p.m.
The Quebecer left the team’s entourage at the end of the 2020-2021 season for what was then described as “personal reasons”. He would reveal to the public, months later, that he had been dealing with anxiety and sleep disturbances for years. He has since been promoting an open and broad conversation about mental health.
Price’s teammates said they “supported” their goaltender as best they could from the moment they learned of his drinking problems last season.
Drouin can testify to the fact that, if it is not easy for a person to open up about his problems, it is not easy for those close to him to overcome their embarrassment in order to broach such a delicate subject.
The first phone call is difficult. Afterwards, it’s easier, everyone is more comfortable.
Jonathan Drouin
In this type of situation, every gesture, however modest, has its value. “Small things like a text, a message, a call, it can have a big effect. A minute on the phone might help someone. »
The situation of high-level athletes is all the more particular.
“You don’t want to go out and look mentally weak, admit you have problems,” Drouin said.
“People think we’re heroes, others think we’re zeros, but ultimately we’re humans,” he said earlier in the press scrum. Some days are more difficult than others, but I think we are heading in the right direction, in hockey and in other areas. It’s less restricted than it was. »