Bobby Ryan On Leave

[Jasmine]

NEW YORK/TORONTO - The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) announced today that forward Bobby Ryan of the Ottawa Senators will be away from the team while taking part in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

There will be no further comment.

[Josh]

Best of luck to him, I hope he's able to use the help. Bobby had a difficult childhood and has a family of his own now to care for. From all accounts I've heard, he's a great person off the ice.

[matchesmalone]

Hm. So are we to automatically assume it is substance abuse? Not sure what else it might be. Mental illness / depression?

[Matt the Aussie]

In the past the NHLPA has specified "substance abuse" program if that was the issue. I don't know if they've made an internal change with that or not?

[Jasmine]

Hm. So are we to automatically assume it is substance abuse? Not sure what else it might be. Mental illness / depression?

I tend to believe its more about mental illness/depression than substance abuse.

[matchesmalone]

As juvenile and crass as it may sound, wouldn't it be funny if he checked into rehab with an eating addiction.

[Josh]

As juvenile and crass as it may sound, wouldn't it be funny if he checked into rehab with an eating addiction.

It would certainly be curious. Do you think there's any chance that that's what it could be?

[matchesmalone]

It would certainly be curious. Do you think there's any chance that that's what it could be?

Haha well anything is possible but that seems a bit far fetched. Just would be funny with all the criticism that he's out of shape and such.

[Kephryn]

I think it's depression. I heard from a guy on my hockey team that apparently he had a family member that died and he was taking it super bad. Now this is rumour but I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it is.

[Jasmine]

So yesterday I was wondering if someone had heard anything from him lately..and today, He was on the ice for practice with his teammates. I guess I could feel he was about to return.

Ok, so he's not there yet, but he's on his way back and that's a good thing for him.

https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-sena...ce/c-314683248

[Jasmine]

Ryan opens up about alcohol addiction and the road to recovery

https://www.tsn.ca/bobby-ryan-opens-...very-1.1446422

[matchesmalone]

Man, good for him. I've always been a big Bobby Ryan fan. Long before he was a Sen even. And I can relate to some of what he's going through. Would be cool if he can get his career back on track for the last couple years of his contract, but mostly I just hope he's ok.

[Jasmine]

I would have never guessed he had a drinking problem. Mind you I don't know him personally, I wouldn't know how he behaves in private....but the public image, considering everything that was known about him, sure made it look like he wasn't too scared by everything he's been through. It takes a lot of courage to admit you need help and ask for it, even more so, when you live a public life. Sure sounds like he's heading in the right direction.

[Matt the Aussie]

Best of luck to him. It takes guts to own the issue and seek out help. People may think he's got his life made but money doesn't always mean happiness.

[Josh]

He looks good! I hope he gets over the alcoholism, it must be one hell of a battle. Hope to see him back in uniform soon too.