Mental Health 101

What You Should Know

Playing in the NHL is high-pressure, high-stakes, and nonstop.

Feeling off (mentally, emotionally, physically) doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re carrying a heavy load.

You’re not alone. Over 35% of elite athletes experience symptoms of mental illness during their careers (Gouttebarge et al., 2019, Br J Sports Med).

Mental health isn’t just about getting out of a hole, it’s about training the part of your game that controls focus, energy, recovery, and confidence.

Addressing it early keeps you sharp and performing at your best.

What Helps

• Performance is mental. How you think, focus, and reset all impact what happens on the ice.

• Struggling is common but staying stuck isn’t necessary. This is trainable. Mental health isn’t fixed. Tools, habits, and support improve it, just like strength and stamina.

• You don’t have to figure it out alone.

• Early tune-ups = long-term edge. Players who take care of their mindset stay more consistent, bounce back quicker, and stay in the league longer.