Columbus Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine and fiancee announce mental health initiative
Patrik Laine and fianceé Jordan Leigh have announced a mental health initiative.
The Blue Jackets forward, who has been training in Florida and has requested a trade to a new NHL team , joined with Leigh to introduce an online community effort entitled "From Us To You," that is described on its Instagram page as "A safe place to share, inspire, support, and grow together."
The couple recorded an introductory video that was released Monday to introduce the new initiative and give Laine a chance to thank supporters for encouragement while he was enrolled in the NHL/NHL Players Association's joint player assistance program for undisclosed reasons.
Laine and Leigh said their project is intended to "continue the conversation" about overcoming adversity and "speaking out" about mental health, a topic that Laine has previously embraced . The couple is inviting people to use an online portal for submitting stories and helpful advice about overcoming challenges, and submissions can be made anonymously.
Laine and Leigh also made their engagement public this past weekend through an Instagram post that indicates they'll get married in June 2025.
Laine, 26, has dealt with numerous injuries that have hampered his production since the Blue Jackets acquired him in a 2021 trade with the Winnipeg Jets . He played just 18 games this past season due to an early concussion, fractured clavicle in December and then his enrollment into the NHL/NHLPA program in late January — which he was just recently cleared to exit .
Laine's agent Andy Scott informed Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell in June of the Finnish forward's desire to be traded. Laine's cumbersome $8.7 million average salary for two more seasons has muted the number of suitors, especially since Waddell stated that he's not currently willing to absorb the NHL's maximum allowed salary retention of 50%.
There is a chance that no deal will be struck prior to training camp in September, when Laine will be expected to restart his NHL career with the Blue Jackets and play until a suitable trade offer is received. Here is an Instagram link for those wishing to know more about Laine and Leigh's new mental health initiative.
Get more Columbus Blue Jackets talk on the Cannon Fodder podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Patrik Laine, fiancee launch online mental health forum
