Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, according to an official announcement from the NHL.
The National Hockey League Players' Association and National Hockey League announced today that forward Patrik Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.
Under the terms of the joint program, he will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators. - NHL
Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement, «Patrik has our complete support, and our sole concern is his well-being", Kekalainen continued, «out of respect for Patrik, we will have no further comment.»
Laine, selected 2nd Overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, is in his 4th season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Laine has 5 Goals and 8 Points in 17 games this season for Columbus, having been out with a collarbone injury since mid-December.
Laine has a career 479 Games Played, with 203 Goals, 184 Assists & 387 Points. Laine was named an NHL All-Star in 2017, and won MVP at the 2016 World Championship with Finland.