Yesterday at the Bell Centre, the focus was put on mental health and Montreal Canadiens' sniper Patrik Laine appeared on Podcast Spitting Chicklets.
In a lengthy interview with the Spitting Chicklets Podcast, Montreal Canadiens' fan favourite Patrik Laine discussed quite a few things including his most recent knee injury (he mentioned he already had four surgeries on that knee), how he loves to play in Montreal and that moment when he was blown away by the crowd's welcome even though he hadn't done anything yet to deserve it.
About the feeling of playing at the Bell Centre, he says that Cole Caufield is something to see when the entrance song "Fix You" comes on and praises the crowd for always being amped up, even if it's a Tuesday night playing against Buffalo for instance. He had that he's yet to experience something as intense as the Whiteout in Winnipeg during the playoffs.
Interestingly, Laine played goalie until he was 11-years-old but he had to make a choice and in the end, his dad made the call since he was the one paying, he added it worked out alright in the end.
He says walking away from hockey when he took a break to take care of his mental health was the hardest decision he had ever made, but it was also the best decision since he just couldn't function anymore. He says it's important to show people they're not the only ones dealing with those issue.
The Summer before taking the break, he told Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen that he was done and just wouldn't be playing again, but in the end, he came back, got injured again and took the break that saved his career. He said he's learned to have a positive outlook and that there's a reason for every struggle you're going through, but you just need to figure it out.
It's clear that Laine wants to go out on his own term when he does and he wants to go out on a high note. Playing the 4-Nations Face-Off and the Olympics are goals of his and he's obviously so looking forward to the upcoming tournament.
Now that Laine is in the right head space, he's firing on all cylinders with the Canadiens and is one of the most entertaining players to watch with Montreal. It just goes to show how important mental health is and whoever you are, you can and should seek help if you need it.
