Patrik Laine, the prolific winger now playing for the Montreal Canadiens, opened up recently about his tumultuous time with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the challenges he faced both on and off the ice. During his appearance on the Spittin' Chiclets Podcast, Laine reflected on the impact of his former coach, John Tortorella, and discussed the personal decisions he made to prioritize his mental health over the demands of professional hockey.
Laine recounted being benched by Tortorella during just the third game he played under the coach. After getting frustrated with one of the assistant coaches, Laine let his emotions take over when he told the assistant to "leave with this iPad right now.” This outburst did not sit well with Tortorella, who responded sternly, "Don’t you f---ing talk to my assistants like this ever again." Laine admitted, "Definitely shouldn’t have said [that]... but I learned the hard way.” His candid reflection highlights the intense emotions players often navigate during heated games.
While Laine's on-ice experiences with the Blue Jackets were rocky, they paled in comparison to his mental health struggles. He disclosed during the podcast the extent to which these issues impacted his ability to perform. “I was so depressed I couldn’t function. It was the hardest decision I had to make: walk away from something you love,” he said. After recognizing he needed help, Laine stepped away from the game and sought support through the Player Assistance Program, describing it as the best decision he made for his mental well-being.
Laine’s need for emotional support stemmed partly from struggles he faced after leaving the Blue Jackets behind. He revealed, "I think I told Jarmo [Kekalainen, GM of Columbus] a couple of times, ‘I’m done playing, I’m not coming back.’ And then I ended up coming back and probably shouldn’t have.” This candid admission portrays not only the pressures athletes feel but also the barriers to discussing mental health issues within the sports community.
Most recently, Laine's career took another major turn with his trade to the Montreal Canadiens. The anticipation for his fresh start quickly turned sour after he suffered a knee injury during his second preseason game—a knee-on-knee collision with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare left him sidelined for what some feared could be much longer than the diagnosis indicated. Despite initial concerns of severe ligament damage, Laine learned it was merely a knee sprain, which would require about two to three months of rehabilitation.
Laine described the situation as "definitely not the greatest start, and not the start the team and the city was looking for,” and expressed his relief at the prognosis following his visit to see a specialist in New York. “He said, ‘You don’t necessarily need new surgery, and you can just try to rehab it,’ which was very encouraging for me,” Laine said.
After away from the ice for two months, Laine's return has reinvigorated the Canadiens. Since his comeback, Montreal has gone on to win twelve of their last eighteen games, climbing back toward playoff contention. Laine has fully embraced his role, netting twelve goals and three assists within the span of those games, showcasing his famous one-timer on the power play to consistently give the team momentum. “There’s not much any goaltender can do when Laine has the time and space to get his shot off,” analysts have mentioned, likening his style to the notorious Alexander Ovechkin.
The Canadiens de Montreal are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning this Tuesday, with Laine's performance being one to watch closely as the season progresses. Laine's recent openness about his mental health has started to chip away at the stereotype surrounding such discussions within hockey culture, where seeking help can often be seen as weakness.
Laine’s evolution as both a player and individual serves as inspiration. His willingness to share his experiences speaks volumes to the importance of mental health advocacy, showing fellow athletes—to fans alike—that it’s okay to prioritize mental well-being over traditional definitions of success.
Fans of the Canadiens are eager to see how Laine’s season continues to develop, as are those who watch the NHL. After all, his success adds not just to his own narrative but is part of the larger conversation about athlete care and mental health awareness within professional sports.