Carey Price’s latest save is his greatest

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This article was published 18/10/2021 (1629 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It may well be remembered as the greatest save in Carey Price’s glorious NHL career.

On Oct. 7, the Montreal Canadiens goaltender shocked the hockey world by putting his career on hold to focus on restoring his own well-being.

A joint press release from the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) revealed the 34-year-old goalie would be voluntarily entering the player assistance program, which helps players and their families with mental health issues, substance abuse and other matters.

While specific details of Mr. Price’s leave were not discussed, his wife, Angela, cited mental health in a powerful Instagram post showing the goaltender with their three children.

“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 for anyone who is struggling,” she 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.”

There was a time when the standard advice elite athletes received for an injury, physical or psychological, was to “Walk it off.” Fortunately, there is a growing understanding of the intense pressure endured by those who play games for a living.

Professional athletes live in a social-media fish bowl, wherein judgmental fans feel empowered to weigh in on everything from their performance on the field or rink to their off-ice wardrobes and hairstyles.

In this pressure-cooker existence, one of the bravest things a player can do is ask for help. In taking a break from hockey to seek assistance, Mr. Price is making himself a role model — not just for young hockey players, but for anyone struggling with mental health issues.

As soon as his decision was announced, Mr. Price was flooded with messages of support and gratitude from fans, players and coaches. He won praise for reigniting a critical conversation, and helping to reduce the stigma around mental health in sports.

Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice was quick to honour his courage. “If we do this right as a society, I believe, the kid that’s got the Carey Price jersey who is 12 isn’t going to look at Carey Price as if he’s a bad guy,” Mr. Maurice said. “It’s that he’s a courageous guy, and for himself and his family, he went and got help. So that’s our responsibility now, that Carey Price is looked at as a courageous leader.”

It is significant that Mr. Price is only the latest high-profile athlete to step away from their sport for mental health reasons. During the summer Olympics in Tokyo, U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles’ decision to drop out of several high-profile events to take care of her mental health inspired dozens of other Olympians to speak publicly about their own battles.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka recently earned the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award for bringing awareness to social justice and mental health issues after withdrawing from this year’s French Open and missing Wimbledon to focus on her own challenges.

In addressing Mr. Price’s leave, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin pointed to the humanity of his player’s decision: “Today, I’m not thinking of Carey Price, goaltender of the Montreal Canadiens, but Carey Price, the human being.”

It’s likely fans will soon be once again cheering for Mr. Price’s breathtaking saves on the ice, but right now they should be applauding his courage as he gets help to save himself.