It's been over a month since anyone outside of close family and friends has heard anything from Ottawa's Bobby Ryan. It was announced on November 20th that the 32-year-old would be away from the team indefinitely while taking part in the NHL/National Hockey League Players' Association assistance program. However, a big update came Monday when Ryan was spotted back on the ice with some of his teammates.
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While the team would not comment on why Ryan was entering the assistance program, it was created in 1996 to help players and their families treat health issues, including substance abuse. Ryan's tough upbringing has been well-documented. His father, Bob, physically abused his mother. They fled to California and changed their last name from Stevenson.
The number two overall pick by Anaheim in the 2005 draft, Ryan had one goal and four points in 16 games with Ottawa this year before entering the assistance program. He had spent several games as a healthy scratch, despite being the highest paid member of the Senators. He signed a a seven-year contract worth $7.25 million annually in 2014. It expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.
There is still no definitive timeline for Ryan's return.
