Carey Price announced Tuesday that it was to address a drinking problem that he took a hiatus from hockey and signed up for the National League and Players’ Association Joint Assistance Program.
In a post in French and English on his Instagram account, sent late Tuesday afternoon, the Canadiens goalkeeper admitted that “in recent years, [il s’est] left to sink into a state of darkness, which he [lui est] become impossible to go out without help ”.
“Last month, I made the decision to move into a substance abuse treatment center. Things had reached the point where I realized I had to prioritize my health, both for myself and for my family. ”
The news is surprising, because Stéphane Waite, who coached the goalkeepers of the Canadian from 2013 until last March, had categorically denied, at the microphone of 98.5 FM, that Price had consumption problems. “It has nothing to do with drugs, it has nothing to do with alcohol, it has nothing to do with gambling, had hammered Waite. […] He pays attention to his body, to everything he does, everything he drinks. It’s mental, and I know that, I can confirm it to you. He’s a guy who was taking a lot of pressure. ”
Price returned to the team’s entourage this weekend, but has yet to join his teammates on the ice for practice. The date of his return to the game remains unknown.
“We do not want to upset anything,” reiterated the head coach of the Canadian, Dominique Ducharme, after the defeat of his team at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings. “On a personal level and in hockey, he has steps to take. We will follow him physically and mentally. We want it to come back to 100%, not 75%. ”
Price, who is also recovering from knee surgery, must first spend time in the gym, before hopping on the ice with an athletic therapist, then starting work with goalkeeper coach Eric. Raymond. Only after all these stages will he be able to join his teammates for a complete training.
The support of his teammates
After the match, Ben Chiarot and Tyler Toffoli took turns praising the courage shown by their teammate.
” He is incredible. He is a leader in our team. To be honest, [c’est un moment où] the hockey component no longer counts; you worry about your friend and his family, Chiarot pointed out. He is a brave man to brave the storm like this. It’s not easy, but he does it with his head held high. I am proud to count him among my friends. ”
“We spoke with him this morning, he knows he has our support,” added Toffoli. His statement shows the caliber of player and person he is; the courage to not only go for help, but come back and tell everyone about it. It’s extremely powerful, and that’s one reason it attracts the right people. Everyone wants to be around him. He is a wonderful human being, we love him and support him. ”
Absent for a month
On October 7, the Canadian announced that Price was entering the NHL and Players’ Association assistance program, without specifying the reason. “It’s a minimum of 30 days, but it can be more”, then commented the general manager of the Canadian, Marc Bergevin. “The important thing is not that for me and the organization. ”
In the end, he was absent for the minimum period foreseen by the CEO.
On Instagram, Angela Price, wife of the guardian, then posted a message, stressing that “mental health must come first, not only by saying it, but also by working to become better. That’s what Carey does, for him and for our family, and he makes the best decision for us ”.
With Simon-Olivier Lorange, Press
What is the NHL Assistance Program?
The official name of the NHL and Players’ Association Assistance Program is Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program (SABH program). As its name suggests, it applies to both consumption problems and a variety of mental health or addiction issues (video games or chance games, for example). It is essentially the equivalent of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered in many workplaces. Access to the program is provided by a 1-800 telephone line. The program is confidential, and if a player does not miss games or practices, he may very well take advantage of it without his team knowing.