It was one month ago yesterday that Patrik Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
Laine has spoken to the media on more than one occasion, admitted that he’s aiming for 50 goals, not 30 or 40, pulled on his jersey for the first time in the team’s locker room (while dressed very casually), skated for the first time at the training complex, and then took part in the opening of training camp. Is Laine’s honeymoon in Montreal over?
Not at all! Even though he was rather overlooked during the first intra-team game yesterday morning, Laine remains very popular and pretty much everyone believes in him in Montreal: the fansthe players, the coaches, the management…
Laine appears to be in resplendent shape, both physically and mentally.
But hearing Patrik Laine admit that he’s had some tough times in recent years – a statement echoed by a few members of the organization afterward – reminds us that Laine has come a long way. Spending not 30 days, but several months in the NHL’s assistance program is no small feat.
The important thing after this kind of ordeal (mourning your father, addiction, etc.) is to be well surrounded. And Laine is.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I was curious. This morning this night, while I was having insomnia, and I spent several minutes searching on the foundation set up by Patrik Laine and his partner.
Firstit must be understood that Laine had committed last October to donate $1,000 per point collected to the OhioHealth Foundation (mental health). Unfortunately, he only got 9 small points in 2023-24, while he had to have surgery and joined the NHL assistance program. Johnny Gaudreau had agreed to imitate Laine’s initiative, he whose life was unfortunately taken just a few weeks ago.
The previous season he had done the same thing and he had given a check, but to support homelessness in Ohio. He had given $52,000 to the Community Shelter Board. The Finn has been involved for a long time.
SecondLaine and his fiancée, Jordan Leigh, recently launched the foundation From Us To You. There is very little information on this new (recent) foundation, but basically, we are talking about a safe place (safe space) to share, inspire, support and grow together on its official link.
Because when you’re dealing with mental health issues, feeling heard, respected and supported is a must.
We also find several inspiring thoughts on the foundation’s Instagram page.
Does this mean that Laine is cured and that everything will be fine for him this season in Montreal? Not necessarily. You are never completely cured of this kind of illness; you are in recovery. And a year ago, Laine seemed to be doing well. A few months later, he had to seek help, and for a long time.
Stay that I am confident that Laine will have fought many of her demons by 2024.
It will be interesting to see if Laine will once again donate $1000 per point collected (this time to his own foundation?), or if he will participate in activities related to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. I’m pretty sure Laine will be very involved in 2024-25. Last week, he and his girlfriend were at an event for the Douglas Hospital Foundation, a mental health institute.
Extension
While researching Patrik Laine and his foundation last night, I was reminded that back in February, just days after he joined the NHL’s assistance program, a podcaster Ohio had spoken of Laine as someone who was contemplating the idea of making a Remmington Reirement.
A Remmington Retirementit is an expression synonymous with suicide.
So let’s see taba*nak !
Laine, then in the aid program, responded on X that it was not correct. Her post was viewed nearly 4 million times and liked by 16,000 people.
You can criticize a player’s game, his attitude with the media or fans, some of his choices on weekend nights… but you can’t allude to the fact that he would like, should or wants to commit suicide. Come on !!!!!!
Laine deserves our support, both on the hockey level and mentally. And if his game on the ice doesn’t hold up, we can criticize him like any other player. But we should avoid talking badly about our mental health. OK? #Let’sBeBetter
