Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price will be away from the team while voluntarily taking part in the NHL/National Hockey League Players’ Association assistance program.
A join media release from the NHL and NHLPA on Wednesday announced the 34-year-old netminder’s decision. It did not estimate a time for his return and said there would be no further comment.
General manager Marc Bergevin and head coach Dominique Ducharme are providing a media update at 11:15 a.m.
The news follows remarks from Ducharme on Wednesday that Price was unlikely to practice before the season start as he recovered from an illness not related to COVID-19. The superstar goaltender was also recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Montreal opens its 2021-22 season Oct. 13 at Toronto.
