(Las Vegas) Swedish Vegas Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner said on Sunday he was forgoing the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, where he was scheduled to defend the Three Crowns colors.
The Gothenburg hockey player cited health reasons to explain his absence in Beijing. He, who has long spoken openly about his mental health issues, including bipolarity, has often spoken of the challenges he faces outside of the rink.
Lehner said after a 23 saves performance in the Knights’ 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday that “he and his agents, his psychiatrist decided that I wasn’t going (to the Games).” He wished Sweden the best of luck.
The 30-year-old goaltender, who played for the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabers, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks and Knights, is 139-133-49 in his career with an average goals against 2.71 and a save rate of .917. He had 16 shutouts.