Former Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark talks leave of absence, social media rumors

During a game against the Maple Leafs on Dec. 27, Ullmark said that he started having “anxiety problems and panic” both leading up to the game and between the first and second period. 

After getting pulled from the game in an eventual Senators loss, Ullmark contacted a health professional from the NHL’s player assistance program and opted to take a personal leave the following day.

“I said, ‘Hey. I’m [expletive] up. I need help.’” And together with the program, together with the organization, we set up a plan and I went through the motions and I took the absence of leave,” Ullmark said.

Less than a day after he left the team, Ullmark said he had to answer for social media rumors regarding his reason for leaving the Senators. Social media posts from unverified accounts — which were promptly deleted after making the rounds online — had Ullmark at a loss as he was already dealing with his own metal health. 

“[People] wonder why hockey players, professional athletes, are not talking. Why we’re not showing any sort of emotion, why mental health in men and women are a stigma,” Ullmark told Hanna. “It took them less than 24 hours from my absence of leave to try to find reasons why I’m gone. Saying that I’m a homewrecker, a person that no one likes in the team. And I can’t defend myself.

“And it sucks because I have a family. I have a wife, I have kids. I get sent text messages asking, like, ‘Hey, are you guys good?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, why? And then they tell you about the rumors. And you’re like, ‘What the f— is wrong with people?’”

The speculation caused by those rumors prompted Senators president and general manager Steve Staios to post a formal statement just hours after those social-media posts started to gain traction. 

“Our organization was extremely disappointed to read the completely fabricated and false stories that are spreading around social media about our hockey club,” the statement read. “Linus is away from our team for personal reasons and he has the entire organization’s support.

“We asked that people respect his privacy, but clearly that request was not heard by the lowest forms of trolls and sick people who scour the internet. We are disgusted that outside forces are attempting to disrupt our hockey club. This statement will put an end to the ridiculous speculation that has spread online.”

Ullmark said that the team statement stood as a relief amid his ongoing battles away from the rink.

“Getting sent the message that Steve and the organization put out was incredible,” Ullmark said. “And then to hear all the nice things that the guys said in the locker room after coming home from that trip. Because all I’m thinking during this time is: ‘What are they thinking about me?’ Everybody knows it’s untrue, but is this going to put doubts in their mind that I’m not who I am and I’m someone else that I’m trying to be?”

Ullmark rejoined the Senators last week, but there is no set timeline for his return to game action. He is 14-8-5 with a 2.95 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage in 28 games with Ottawa this season. 

While Ullmark said that he hopes sharing his struggles in a public space will raise more awareness for mental health, he is putting his own health at the forefront as he tries to get back on the ice later this season. 

“There’s no greater thing that I’m trying to achieve,” Ullmark said. “I just wanted to feel whole again. I wanted to be me. I wanted to feel like myself again.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.