Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is taking a voluntary leave from the team to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. The announcement comes one day after Habs coach Dominique Ducharme, on Wednesday, said that Price was “not doing well right now” and would likely not play in the Oct. 13 season opener, according to ESPN.
In an Instagram post on Thursday morning, Carey’s wife Angela Price emphasized the importance of her husband’s mental health.
Here’s what she wrote:
“Part of the privilege of being in the position our family is in, is that we also get a public platform to show how there is and can be a path to light for anyone who is struggling. No matter what is on the line, we hope we can communicate the importance of putting your mental health first; not just by saying it, but by showing up and doing the worse to get better.
The post continued, saying, “Carey’s showing up for himself and our family and making the absolute best decision possible for us. I will continue to show up for him and our kids and seek out the support I may need on any given day.”
Price surgery this past offseason to repair a torn meniscus. According to ESPN, the goalie’s decisions caught Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin “off guard.”
The NHL and NHLPA only announced his decision to take a leave. They did not say why and noted they will not make any further comments on the matter.
