The unlikely person who helped Linus Ullmark through his darkest moment

On Tuesday, Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark spoke publicly for the first time about his recent leave of absence in a candid and emotional interview with TSN. While many fans respected his need for privacy, the situation quickly took a dark turn online, where baseless rumors surfaced and dragged his name through the mud at a moment when Ullmark was at his most vulnerable.

Ullmark revealed he stepped away from the team to focus on his mental health, dealing with panic attacks, a reality that exposed the harsh pressures public figures face.

“People wonder why hockey players, professional athletes, are not talking, why we’re not showing any sort of emotions,” Ullmark said. “It took less than 24 hours from my absence of leave to try to find reasons to why I’m gone… and I can’t defend myself.”

Amid the noise, support came from an unexpected place.

Ullmark shared that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, an Atlantic division rival nonetheless, reached out and encouraged him to call. Despite their rivalry, Hedman offered something far more important than hockey advice. An ambassador for NOSOLO, a brand dedicated to mental health awareness, Hedman helped Ullmark navigate the storm he was facing.

“I wasn’t gonna call him at the time,” Ullmark admitted. “But I grabbed the courage to call him, and he really helped me sort out things that I was going through - and am still going through.”

Ullmark also addressed the impact of false rumors on his family, calling the situation deeply painful and unnecessary.

“It sucks because I have a family. I have a wife, I have kids,” he said. “You hear these things and think, ‘What is wrong with people?’”

While Ullmark is not yet ready to return to game action, he emphasized he is heading in the right direction, supported by teammates, management, and one unexpected ally that made all the difference.