Ottawa Senators Netminder Linus Ullmark (Via Getty Images) Two spotlights shone over Linus Ullmark as he stood in front of his net before Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. The goaltender normally keeps his head down before puck drop, drowning out the noise to focus on what lies ahead. But this time, he looked up.It had been nearly 35 days since his last appearance, a stretch spent away from the team for mental health reasons. Fans filled the building with signs reading “Loud 4 Linus” and “Puck the Stigma.” A video tribute played on the arena screens before the anthems. Ullmark let the moment wash over him, nodding at the crowd before pounding his chest as the arena roared.
Linus Ullmark remains grateful to his teammates and to his friends for his comeback
The return was not rushed. Ullmark consulted a health professional through the NHL/NHLPA’s player assistance program and gradually worked his way back on his own terms. He trained, skated, and practiced with teammates before being added to the active roster last Sunday.”There are a lot of things that we take for granted when it comes to hockey in general,” Ullmark said. “As players, we play 82 games in a short amount of time. So you don’t really have time to take a step back and think about what you’re actually doing.”He continued, “I had the moment to do that. And I’m really thankful for the support from the fans. It felt like I came out of retirement during practices because I didn’t have a real practice since before Christmas. So, it’s been a battle coming back.”There were doubts along the way. Ullmark watched his team play on the road in street clothes, unable to suit up despite wanting nothing more than to be in the lineup. The netminder revealed that it wasn’t easy for him to return and self-doubts troubled him all the way.Ullmark made sure that he was 100 percent sure about his return before he made his decision and this week things finally went in the right direction. When Ullmark returned to the dressing room, teammates greeted him warmly. The support extended beyond the locker room as well, with players around the league expressing solidarity during his absence. “The support in this locker room has been tremendous ever since day one,” Ullmark said. “I can’t thank enough this whole organization. I can’t thank them enough.”Ullmark delivered 26 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Devils to cap his return. The Senators now ride a three-game winning streak as Ottawa fights to close an eight-point gap to the last wild-card spot heading into the Olympic break.