Jakub Vrana missed the Detroit Red Wings’ morning skate on Monday and their game later that night for personal reasons. He hasn’t returned to the team since.
Wednesday, the NHL announced why. He’s entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Via a press release:
Red Wings’ Vrana Placed in NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program
TORONTO/NEW YORK (Oct. 19, 2022) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association and National Hockey League announced today that forward Jakub Vrana of the Detroit Red Wings will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the player assistance program of the NHL and NHLPA.
Under the terms of the joint program, Vrana will continue to be paid while receiving treatment. He will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.
Vrana’s care will be administered pursuant to the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
The Detroit Red Wings briefly commented, adding only that Vrana would be out indefinitely.
The Detroit Red Wings are aware that Jake Vrana has been placed in the NHL and NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program, and that he will be out indefinitely. The Red Wings will have no further comment on this matter.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 19, 2022
According to ESPN, the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program “supports players and their families struggling with drug and alcohol dependency or mental health issues.”
Vrana was removed from the Detroit Red Wings’ active roster and the club will likely replace him with another player before Friday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Vrana was traded from the Capitals, where he was drafted and won the 2018 Stanley Cup, to the Detroit Red Wings in April 2021 for Anthony Mantha. The forward injured his shoulder during the first session of 2021 Training Camp and missed most of the season. When he returned, he closed the year with 13 goals in 26 games.
Vrana played only two games this season before being placed into the player assistance program. He had two points, including a goal on close friend Vitek Vanecek.
Our thoughts are with Jake during this difficult time and we’re rooting for him.
