Breaking: Preds' Watson placed in Substance Abuse program and suspended without pay
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HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Nashville Predators' Austin Watson has taken a major step in his recovery as TSN's Frank Seravelli announces his a breaking news report that the forward has "has been placed in Stage 2 of the NHL/NHLPA joint Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program “for treatment related exclusively to his ongoing issues with alcohol abuse.”
Under the terms of the joint program, Watson will be suspended without pay until cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.
#NHL announces #preds forward Austin Watson has been placed in Stage 2 of the NHL/NHLPA joint Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program “for treatment related exclusively to his ongoing issues with alcohol abuse.”
The 26-year old player was arrested charged in a domestic assault incident back on June 16th, 2018 after a witness flagged down a police officer to a gas station in Franklin, Tennessee where Watson was allegedly involved in an altercation with his girlfriend. Watson told police he and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them. Watson pleaded no contest to domestic assault on July 24th.
Earlier this month, Watson revealed that the arrest last year that led to his 18-game suspension came when he fell off the wagon and started drinking again after 23 months of sobriety. Watson said in an Instagram post that he’s been dealing with anxiety, depression and alcoholism since the age of 18. Watson said he entered the NHL’s substance abuse program after his June 16 arrest and added that "I am currently sober and committed to living a healthy lifestyle so that I can be the father, partner, teammate and person I want to be."