When Jakub Vrana faced a pivotal moment in both his personal and professional life with the Detroit Red Wings, he vividly remembers the fear and apprehension he felt after deciding to confide in Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman about his issues.
The turning point came in October 2022, when the surprising news broke that the star forward was taking a leave from the Red Wings to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program due to substance abuse issues. It was Vrana himself who sought out Yzerman to share his problem.
JAKUB. VRANA. pic.twitter.com/dVRrCLCHxa
— Springfield Thunderbirds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) February 25, 2024
“I went to see Steve Yzerman,” Vrana recounted in an interview with Zimakpodcast.cz. “I walked up the stairs to his office and I was completely unsure how to tell him.”
Vrana spent six weeks in the program and returned to Detroit, only to be placed on waivers by the Red Wings and subsequently assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He had a brief recall to Detroit later in the 2021-22 season before being traded to the St. Louis Blues.
Reflecting on that tumultuous season, Vrana focuses on the fact that he was ultimately able to get his personal life back on track.
“Even though I now know it was the right thing to do, at the time admitting my problem was overwhelming,” Vrana said. “I was afraid to take that step and feared it might be too late.”
His tenure with the Red Wings came to an end, a reminder that hockey is a business. Vrana acknowledged that he felt there were aspects of his departure that weren’t explicitly communicated to him.
In the subsequent season, the Blues also sent Vrana to the AHL, where he finished the season with the Springfield Thunderbirds. He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Regardless of the status of his hockey career, Vrana is simply relieved to have his life back on track.
“I had to start addressing it,” Vrana stated. “I am stronger now.”
His advice to others facing similar addictions is to not be afraid to take the step of reaching out for help.
“When you think you have everything under control, you don’t,” he explained. “But seemingly insurmountable problems can indeed be solved.”
