Adam Ruzicka speaks out for the first time since controversial video.

Former Arizona Coyotes forward Adam Ruzicka shocked the hockey world this month when he published a video to his Instagram that appeared to show him abusing drugs, with a white powdery substance seen in plain view that looks very much like cocaine.

The fallout from that video would be swift with the Coyotes immediately moving to terminate Ruzicka's contract and with the veteran forward clearly waivers after being placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

Ruzicka is not officially out of the National Hockey League and will have to either hope that another NHL team is willing to take a chance on him, unlikely, or find somewhere else to play out what remains of his professional hockey career.

You could expect Ruzicka to be bitter for what has transpired, especially when most of us believe that his recreational drug use is hardly uncommon among professional athletes, but much to his credit he appears to be taking full responsibility for his error in judgement. Although he quickly deleted his social media accounts following the controversy, Ruzicka would return to issue a public apology and to thank those who have supported him through this ordeal.

Here is what Ruzicka wrote in his story:

"I made a big mistake and I will learn from it," vowed the former NHL forward. "I love you all and will be forever grateful. Adam."

I sincerely hope that Ruzicka can move on and learn from his mistakes, wherever that journey may take him.