Corey Perry on struggles with alcohol and mental health: ‘I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone’

In his first public comments since being released by the Chicago Blackhawks this week, Corey Perry said he is taking steps to seek treatment for alcohol and mental health struggles.

Perry was officially let go by the Blackhawks last week after spending a week away from the team. The team never said what the official reason for letting Perry go was, other than saying he “engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe working environments.

Earlier this week, sources told Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli that Perry was involved in an alcohol-fueled incident that included corporate partners and team employees.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates,” Perry’s statement read. “I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and I have let you all down.

“As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors. I am sickened by the impact this has had on others, and I want to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families. Most importantly, I want to directly apologize to those who have been negatively affected and I am sorry for the additional impact to others it has created. My behavior was inappropriate and wrong.

“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my
career.”

The Blackhawks acquired Perry over the offseason to help give the team a solid veteran presence. He had nine points in 16 games with the Hawks in what was shaping up to potentially be his first 50-point season since 2016-17 with the Anaheim Ducks. The 38-year-old forward has 421 goals and 892 points in 1,273 games between Anaheim, Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Perry won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player back in 2011. Among other accolades, Perry won the 2007 Stanley Cup with the Ducks, gold at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with Canada.