Ending the stigma: Carey Price enters player assistance program

MONTREAL — In the days after the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Carey Price is now among those athletes receiving love and support as he enters a player assistance program.

The NHL announced that the Montreal Canadiens goaltender is entering the NHL and NHLPA’s player assistance program and the goaltender entered the program voluntarily, without further coment. He had been away from the team with what the team said was non-COVID related.

The program itself is explained as “assisting players and their families with mental health, substance abuse and other matters.”

Last Friday, Price’s wife, Angela Price provided the following message to her Instagram page: “Part of the privilege of being in the position our family is in, is that w 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 community the important of putting your mental health first not just by saying it, but by showing up and doing the work to get better. 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 the I may need on any given day. And it’s incredibly important to us to show our kids that asking for helps, and letting yourself be supported by there is not just okay, but encouraged – anytime, and under any circumstance.”

But amidst much speculation, according to a radio segment on 98.5FM, a former Canadiens goalie coach explained that Price is not suffering from addiction to illegal or prescription drugs, alcohol or gambling, but from a mental health issue related to putting too much pressure on himself.

It was noted that Price will be in the program for a minimum of 30 days but is expected to rejoin his teammates on the ice before the end of 2021.

He is of Nuxalk and Southern Carrier Indigenous heritage, and his mother Lynda was the first woman elected to the board of directors for the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

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