Carey Price says he entered treatment facility for help with 'substance use' problem
Habs goalie Carey Price said he entered a residential treatment facility last month to treat an ongoing "substance use" issue after letting himself "get to a very dark place."
"Things had reached a point that I realized I needed to prioritize my health for both myself and for my family," Price said in a post on his Instagram page Tuesday.
"Asking for help when you need it is what we encourage our kids to do. And it was what I needed to do."
Price also reunited with his fellow teammates Tuesday after voluntarily entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on Oct. 7.
He said in his post that he is working on "years" of neglecting his mental health and that addressing it now means a timeline for his return to the ice will remain uncertain.
The 34-year-old met with Canadiens doctors on Sunday to see if he should resume the rehab program, and on Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said Price's return will take place in four stages.
"I appreciate all of the overwhelming support and well wishes," reads Price's Instagram post.
"I please ask that the media and our hockey community continue to respect our privacy at this time. Your support and respect of this so far has been a critical piece to my recovery."
After taking a step back from hockey, Price was praised by athletes and commentators alike for having the courage to speak up about the importance of putting one's own mental well-being ahead of the team.
The star goalie has a career record of 360-257-79, with a 2.50 goals-against average and .917 save percentage with 49 shutouts. His 360 wins for the Habs tops Hall of Famers Jacques Plante (314), Patrick Roy (289), and Ken Dryden (258).
In 2015, he swept the NHL's key awards, winning the Ted Lindsay, Jennings, Vezina, and Hart trophies, becoming the first goaltender in league history to win all four individual awards in the same season.
Price has represented Canada internationally at all levels of play, most recently winning gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Again on Tuesday, hockey fans applauded Price's bravery in opening up about seeking help. Many shared messages of support on Twitter and wished him a speedy recovery.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.