Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana has been placed in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league announced on Wednesday evening.
Vrana was absent from Red Wings practice on Tuesday and was also scratched from Monday’s game versus the Los Angeles Kings for what was listed as personal reasons. No details were given as to the reasoning behind Vrana entering the program, only that he will be unavailable to the team indefinitely while he works through it.
The 26-year-old missed most of last season while recovering from major shoulder surgery, suiting up in just 26 games for the Red Wings in which he notched 13 goals and six assists for 19 points.
Vrana is not the first player to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in recent years. Just last season, goaltenders Carey Price and Connor Ingram both voluntarily entered the program during the year, with Price being extremely candid about what led him to seek help.
Vrana’s case is somewhat different, as the NHL says he was placed in the program rather than entering voluntarily. But all hockey fans can hope for is that Vrana finds the help he needs in order to live a healthy and fulfilling life – both on and off the ice.
