The Columbus Blue Jackets and their followers have rallied behind ahead Patrik Laine following insensitive feedback made on-line about his psychological well being struggles. Teammate Johnny Gaudreau has stepped up with an initiative that can assist increase cash for males’s psychological well being consciousness.
Previous to the season, Laine introduced a program wherein he would donate $1,000 to the OhioHealth Basis’s psychological well being assets for each level he scored. Final month, Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA participant help program to cope with psychological well being struggles of his personal.
Final week, insensitive feedback relating to Laine’s psychological well being battle have been made on a podcast. Laine noticed the remarks and referred to as them out on social media.
With Laine out, Gaudreau has determined to become involved to maintain issues rolling. Gaudreau will now donate $1,000 to psychological well being assets for each level he scores by the rest of the season, the workforce has introduced.
Requested in regards to the initiative throughout his media availability, Gaudreau stated he simply wished to assist Laine as he goes by a tough time.
“We miss Patty within the locker room,” Gaudreau stated. “We miss seeing him across the rink and having him across the rink. After I noticed he was doing that to begin the season, I assumed it was superior. It was for an amazing trigger, and he had to enter this system to cope with stuff like that. I assumed, ‘What higher method to assist him to choose up the place he left off?'”
Gaudreau added that the podcast feedback weren’t what spurred his resolution to affix Laine’s charitable efforts. Gaudreau stated he made up his thoughts over the All-Star break.
“No, I made a decision over break I wished to do that,” Gaudreau stated. “Then, sort of an fool comes out and says some horrible issues like that. It is powerful to see that, particularly when somebody goes by one thing so powerful.”
Blue Jackets followers have additionally proven like to Laine by donating to the Columbus Blue Jackets Basis. Hockey social media influencer Nasher began a marketing campaign for followers to donate $29, Laine’s jersey quantity, to the inspiration. Based on The Columbus Dispatch, the inspiration has raised greater than $10,000 from over 200 particular person donations as of Tuesday afternoon.
We’ll see how way more cash will get raised as Gaudreau tries to complete the season on a excessive word. By 52 video games, Gaudreau has tallied 7 targets and 28 assists.
