Syracuse Crunch forward Gemel Smith is the latest professional hockey player to speak out on his depression. From the outside looking in, people would assume Smith was living the dream. The young forward has had a successful AHL career to this point and has played in 83 career NHL games. However, Smith was going through some extremely tough times, which was when Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron stepped in to help.
When the Dallas Stars decided to give up on Smith, he had an extremely tough time coming to grips with it. Although he had a new opportunity with the Boston Bruins, Smith was still extremely shaken up. It didn't take Bergeron long to realize something didn't appear right with his new teammate.
“You know it's a new environment for him, it's going to take time, but at the same time it seemed like something was up,” said Bergeron. “I just reached out first to tell him we were happy to have him, he was more than welcome on the team.”
Bergeron admitted that after the conversation, he still didn't have a very good feeling about it. This situation was all too familiar for Bergeron, who said he went through tough times of his own after suffering a concussion on a dirty hit from then Flyers defenceman Randy Jones.
“I was in a dark place,” Bergeron recalled. “I didn't feel like myself. It was definitely tough times.”
Unfortunately for Smith, he didn't get to stick around Bergeron long for help, as the Bruins sent him down to the AHL after appearing in just three games for the club. This demotion only sent Smith's mental state into a deeper and more downward spiral.
Although Bergeron was no longer able to see Smith, he still checked in on him periodically. He offered Smith words of encouragement, and suggested Smith talk to a sports psychologist, as Bergeron had himself in the past. Since taking up Bergeron's suggestion, Smith said being able to talk to someone has helped him out immensely.
“I think it helped me a lot. It helped me be aware of the situation and not ashamed of the situation. Patrice helped me stay with it and here I am now,” Smith said.
This past offseason, Smith moved on from the Bruins organization, signing a new deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although he has still played most of the season in the AHL, Smith says he is in a much better place now knowing he can talk about his situation with family and teammates. His play this season speaks to that, as the 25-year-old currently has 32 points in 37 games for the Syracuse Crunch.
“It doesn't take much to just ask a person how he's doing. Tell someone not to suffer alone, to be there for him, and to ask how he was doing, that's really all I did,” stated Bergeron.
Thankfully, this story has turned out positive as it sounds by all accounts that Smith is doing much better mentally than he was just a season ago. Stories like these are important to remind everyone that you never know what somebody else is going through. It is always best to reach out to others and see how they are, and to speak to someone yourself if you are struggling. There are always people out there who are willing to help.
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