Habs goalie Carey Price says substance use led him to NHL’s assistance program
Posted November 9, 2021 5:21 pm.
Last Updated November 9, 2021 3:06 pm.
Carey Price has broken his silence after voluntarily entering the NHL’s player assistance program over a month ago.
The superstar goaltender issued a statement through the Montreal Canadiens and also posted it to his Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWEhywHvjmx/
The 34-year-old Price says that he entered the league’s program for substance use.
“Last month I made the decision to enter a residential treatment facility for substance use,” said Price in the statement. “Things had reached a point that I realized I needed to prioritize my health for both myself and for my family. Asking for help when you need it is what we encourage our kids to do. And it was what I needed to do.
“I am working through years of neglecting my own mental health which will take some time to repair; all I can do is take it day by day. With that comes some uncertainty with when I will return to play.”
WATCH: Montreal Canadiens’ Carey Price taking break to focus on mental health (Oct. 7)
Price rejoined the Habs on Monday, meeting with team athletic trainers to come up with a plan to get back into shape after having neck surgery in the off-season.
Last month, his wife, Angela, took to Instagram to share some details, alluding that her husband has been struggling with his mental health.
“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,” Angela Price wrote.
“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 work to get better. Carey’s showing up for himself and our family and making the absolute best decision possible for us,” she continued.
“I will continue to show up for him and our kids and seek out the support that I may need on any given day. And it’s incredibly important to us to show our kids that asking for help, and letting yourself be supported by others is not just ok, but encouraged — anytime, and under any circumstance.”
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Price, who is originally from Anahim Lake, B.C., had already been away from the team before his wife posted to social media. He was dealing with what the team had called a non-COVID-illness. He was already expected to miss the start of the season as a result.
