On Monday the team announced that Jakub Vrana would miss the Red Wings matchup against the Los Angeles King due to “personal reasons”. After yesterday’s practice, head coach Derek Lalonde was asked out Vrana’s status:
“Still out. Personal reasons. That’s all I’ve been told. So I don’t have a time frame on anything.”
Jakub Vrana Enters NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program
Wednesday evening the NHL and NHLPA announced that Jakub Vrana has been placed in the Player Assistance Program for “an indefinite period of time”.
Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana placed in NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Details: https://t.co/Tze4D3D8uy pic.twitter.com/ruuqliYFRZ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 19, 2022
Vrana has 2 games played so far this season with one goal, one assist, and two points. He was the Washington Capitals first round pick (13th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft. Vrana won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Capitals in 2018. He is currently in his third year with the Detroit Red Wings.
What is the Program?
The Player Assistance Program was started in 1996 by the NHL and NHLPA. This jointly funded program assist players and their families with substance abuse, mental health, and other sensitive matters while treatment is sought. There is no timetable for return for the player upon entering the program. Under the terms of his contract, Vrana will be paid while in the program and while receiving necessary treatment.
We hope Vrana gets the help he needs and can move forward with his life. Players like Austin Watson and Bobby Ryan have entered the program and returned to the ice. There is a hope Vrana can do the same.
Vrana looked like he was going to be a key part of the Red Wings’ lineup that looked like it was going to take the next step. However, lineup concerns seem trivial at this time.
