NHL Goaltender Jack Campbell Enters Player Assistance Program

NEW YORK — The National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) have announced that goaltender Jack Campbell has entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. This was confirmed in a joint statement released on Friday by the league and the players’ union. Campbell, who currently holds a position with the Detroit Red Wings organization, will be away from the team indefinitely as he receives the necessary care.

Campbell, aged 32, was anticipated to start the season playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins, a team in the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to joining the Detroit Red Wings, he was signed for the league-minimum salary of $775,000. This signing occurred after his previous team bought out the remaining three seasons of his five-year, $25 million contract last summer.

The player assistance program offers help for a range of issues including alcohol or drug abuse, mental health concerns, sleep disorders, or gambling addiction. Confidentiality is maintained concerning the specifics, allowing privacy for players and their families. An announcement is only made publicly when a player is deemed unavailable for his team due to these concerns during the season.

Jack Campbell has had an extensive career in the NHL, having played for five different teams. Originally a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars, Campbell made his debut with them before playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Edmonton Oilers. Most recently, he spent a significant portion of the last season playing with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

Joining the Detroit Red Wings marks a return to familiar territory for Campbell, who hails from Port Huron, Michigan. He is the first player this fall to engage in the assistance program following five participants last season, which equaled the total over the prior three years combined.