The Montreal Canadiens‘ star goaltender will take part in the NHL/NHL Players’ Association joint player assistance program.
Carey Price will be stepping away from the team while voluntarily taking part in the program, the league said Thursday.
General manager Marc Bergevin told reporters that he wants to respect Price’s personal life and that the Hab will be absent from the club for at least 30 days.
“I think that going to get help shows a lot of courage,” Bergevin said. “And at the end of the day I sincerely believe everything will go back to normal.”
Bergevin said that he isn’t thinking of Price, the goaltender, but of “Carey Price, the human being.”
The news comes one day after the Habs head coach said that Price will likely not be taking part in the regular season opener.
On Wednesday, Dominque Ducharme said Price is “not doing well right now” as he recovers from a non-COVID illness. Price is also recovering from off-season surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Angela Price, his wife, published a statement on Instagram in support of her husband. She said part of the privilege of being in the position their family is in is that they can show others there is help available.
“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,” she wrote.
She added that “Carey’s showing up for himself and our family and making the absolute best decision possible for us.”
Quebec Premier François Legault gave his best wishes to the goalie shortly after the announcement was made.
“We wish Carey Price a speedy recovery,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Canadiens will open the 2021-2022 season on Oct. 13 in Toronto.
—with files from The Canadian Press
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