Ullmark Discusses Leave of Absence with TSN’s Hanna

Casey Halston

ago 2 hours

Ullmark Discusses Leave of Absence with TSN’s Hanna

Linus Ullmark, goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, recently discussed his leave of absence during an interview with TSN’s Claire Hanna. This marks his first public comments since taking leave on December 28. Ullmark’s conversation, set to air later on TSN.ca and YouTube, highlights important topics like mental health and the spread of misinformation.

Ullmark Addresses Mental Health and Rumors

During the interview, Ullmark opened up about the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sports. “People wonder why hockey players, professional athletes, are not talking publicly,” he stated. He noted that there is a significant societal pressure on athletes to conform to certain expectations.

Ullmark also recounted his experiences with social media rumors that emerged shortly after his leave. He expressed concern over false accusations, stating, “It took less than 24 hours from my leave for people to speculate about my situation.” He emphasized that these rumors can be damaging, especially as they affect his family.

Impact of Social Media

Ullmark is not active on social media, learning about the rumors days later.
He received messages from family and friends asking about his well-being due to the rumors.
Ullmark expressed frustration, stating, “What the f— is wrong with people?”

Acknowledging the Vezina Trophy Winner

Ullmark was awarded the 2023 Vezina Trophy, recognizing him as the league’s top goaltender. He is currently in his 12th NHL season and has completed two seasons with the Senators. These accolades showcase his skill and dedication to the sport.