The National League is “doing a much better job with mental health” these days, Carey Price believes.
In a long interview granted on Sunday to The Blue Pocketled by his former teammates Guillaume Latendresse and Maxim Lapierre, the Canadiens goalie opened up about the pressure of playing in Montreal.
“When I was drafted, in one of my first interviews, I was told: several people say that two of the most difficult jobs in Canada are to be Prime Minister and to be a goalkeeper for the Montreal Canadiens. From that moment, I said to myself: that’s what it is. I can’t control everything,” recalled the Cerberus.
Price, who went through the NHL and Players’ Association assistance program in 2021-22, has always been a calm and low-key nature. But things have not always been easy during his 15 seasons in the Quebec metropolis.
“I don’t think it helps that things are dramatized here,” he explained. I think it’s kind of a weakness to play here. Everybody knows it. It takes a special person to come here, ignore it and focus on the next step to keep the boat going. »
The B.C. native went on to highlight the improved mental health resources available to players, citing the Habs’ “good work” in that regard.
“We have a nutritionist, a sports psychologist. I think there has been some development since our time. »
“I think it’s important that we continue to push in this direction and that the necessary resources are available. It can make a big difference for young people who suffer from performance pressure. The pressure to do well, to keep your job, to deal with the media. »
Asked why he spoke openly about his mental health problems despite his discreet side, the 35-year-old athlete explained that “it’s all about appearance, especially on a hockey team, in a leadership position or as a veteran”.
“Everyone sees you as a role model. You constantly put on a facade, everyone is watching you, but that doesn’t mean you’re not nervous or that you’re not going through difficult things. »
“It’s very important to be able to talk about the things that are wrong rather than keeping them inside, especially if you have no one to confide in,” he continued. I always had my dad that I could talk to, but you can’t talk to just anyone about anything. »
Among the players who listened and supported him, he named Peter Budaj, who was his second from 2011 to 2014. « Webs [Shea Weber] and [Jeff] Petry, more recently, are two guys I got along with really well. You need to know your audience and who really cares about you. »