Carey Price visited a substance use treatment center during his 30-day stint with the NHL Player Assistance Program and the NHL Players Association, after years of “sinking” in a state of darkness from which it became impossible for me to get out without help ”.
In an Instagram post published at the end of the afternoon on Tuesday, the goalkeeper of the Montreal Canadiens lifted the veil on the reasons which pushed him to isolate himself for a month.
“Last month, I made the decision to move into a substance use treatment center. Things had reached a point where I realized I had to prioritize my health, both for myself and for my family, he wrote in an English and French post. We encourage our kids to ask for help when they need it, and that was what I had to do.
“I am currently working to restore my sanity after several years of neglecting it, which will obviously take time. All I can do is go one day at a time. Therefore, my return to play date remains uncertain. ”
Price reunited with his teammates on Tuesday when he visited the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
“It was good to see him and he’s doing well,” said head coach Dominique Ducharme on Tuesday morning. For our players, we are together every day. We have a good group of players and they take care of each other. Seeing a teammate come back like that is good for the guys.
“While he was gone, we had no news. To see him back and in a good state of mind, it’s positive, ”he added.
Ducharme was cautious in his remarks when asked about the timeline in place for Price’s return to the game.
Before taking time for himself, Price was recovering from knee surgery he suffered on July 23. The 34-year-old British Columbian met with the Canadiens’ doctors on Sunday to see where he should resume the rehabilitation program.
“He obviously did not go to a physical training center,” Ducharme recalled. He had facilities available to him, but not what we have here. On the other hand, he has found a way to keep himself in good physical shape every day.
“We’re happy to see where he is, because we had no idea what he had done. He remained active. He has taken a step forward in terms of his physical condition, ”continued Ducharme.
The driver of the Canadian, however, noted that Price will have to go through several stages before being able to play a first game since July 7, when the Habs lowered their flag to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup final.
“The first phase will be in the gym, where he will work physically. From there, we’ll assess his progress to determine when he can get back on the ice, explained Ducharme. When things go well on the ice, he can then start working with the goalie coach and eventually join the team to train with the whole squad.
“So he will have all these stages to go through,” he said. Each step will take time. ”
Ducharme therefore insisted that it was too early to determine a specific date in anticipation of Price’s return to the game.
Price’s comments, however, suggest that it is not just physical injuries that will need to be healed before he is ready to return to the game. He will, however, have the support of his teammates and loved ones throughout. of the process.
“I greatly appreciate all the support and recovery wishes I receive,” he wrote. I ask the media and the hockey community to continue to respect our privacy. Your support and respect remain essential building blocks for my recovery, ”concluded Price.