Washington Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear is taking a break from the team to seek assistance from the NHL and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) through their Player Assistance program.
Previously, Jakub Vrana, a former Capital, also entered the program last season. Additionally, Evgeny Kuznetsov received care through this program for approximately a month before being traded to Carolina.
According to the NHL press release, Ethan Bear will be “unavailable to his Club for an unspecified duration while he undergoes treatment through the NHLPA and NHL Player Assistance Program. As per the program’s guidelines, he will rejoin the Club upon clearance for on-ice competition by program administrators.”
Bear joined the Capitals on Dec. 28, signing a two-year deal after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He tallied four points in 24 games this season, including one goal and four assists.
Bear has missed seven of the Capitals’ last 10 games, partly due to illness and partly due to being sidelined as a spare player. Nonetheless, his acquisition proved beneficial, significantly bolstering the Capitals’ defense.
As crucial as it is to participate in the game, prioritizing mental health is equally essential. All of us at Stars and Sticks extend our heartfelt support to Ethan Bear during this time. Whatever challenges he may be facing, it’s his journey, and as long as he’s receiving the necessary support, that’s what truly matters.
Despite the Capitals being off yesterday, this news adds to an eventful day that also included updates regarding arenas. The Caps will conclude the month of March with an away game tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network, followed by a home game on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins.
