Colorado Avalanche's Samuel Girard Leaves Team to Enter Player Assistance Program For Alcohol Abuse - The Messenger
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Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard Leaves Team to Enter Player Assistance Program For Alcohol Abuse

Girard missed Colorado's previous two games for personal reasons, and will be paid while he receives assistance

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard is out indefinitely as he enters the NHLPA Player Assistance Program.Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard will be away from the team indefinitely as he enters the NHLPA Player Assistance Program, the league and NHLPA announced Friday.

Girard will return to the defending NHL champions when the program's administrators clear him to return to the ice.

The 25-year-old had been away from the team for the last two games before revealing his reasons.

Girard made a statement through his agency, CAA on X (formerly Twitter) saying that he was "entering treatment for severe anxiety and depression that has gone untreated for too long and led to alcohol abuse."

Girard will continue to be paid during his absence.

He broke his sternum midway through Colorado's Stanley Cup run in 2022.

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