Senators' Linus Ullmark opens up about reasons for leave of absence

“The real reason is mental health,” Ullmark told Hanna during the 26-minute interview. “And there’s been a lot going on for a long time. I would say dating back to, ever since the trade, and a lot of things have been positive as well throughout the years or these times. But a lot of the things that I had gone through or worried about haven’t really been dealt with in the right way.”

The 32-year-old goaltender has appeared in 28 games with the Senators to begin the 2025-26 season, posting a 14-8-5 record, an .881 save percentage, and one shutout. The Lugnvik, Sweden native made his last appearance in Ottawa’s 7-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in late December, being pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots.

“Things have been piling on — off the ice, on the ice, stuff like that,” Ullmark continued. “And it comes a time — and you never know when – where the cup starts to overflow. And for me, that was the game against Toronto where I was having panic attacks — not attacks, but, you know, seriously having anxiety problems and panic in between the first and second period and leading into the first period.”

Ullmark said he called the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program immediately after the game, and told the team he needed a break.

In mid-January, a burner social media account shared a rumor speculating why Ullmark had left the team. Many in the hockey world disregarded it, but the fire quickly started to burn.

The Senators released a statement earlier this month defending their goaltender and several other players involved in the rumor. Brady Tkachuk would go on to speak up against the rumors, while Ullmark would share his thoughts with Hanna.

“I was very upfront with the team, telling them there’s a mental health issue, because it was,” Ullmark said. “And I didn’t have the tools to deal with it. Things would just kind of spiral afterwards. And then, (Senators’ vice-president of communications Ian Mendes) told me when I came back here that the rumors that was being spread about me and my family started the day after I take an absence of leave.

“And people wonder why hockey players — professional athletes — are not talking. Why we’re not showing any sort of emotions. Why mental health in men and in women are a stigma. It took them less than 24 hours from my absence of leave to try to find reasons to 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.

“I didn’t know about this until days later,” he continued. And it sucks, because I have a family. I have a wife, I have kids. They get sent text messages asking, “Hey, are you guys good?” I’m like, “Yeah, why?” And then they tell you about it the rumours and you’re like, “What the f— is wrong with people?”

Through 319 career games with the Sabres, Bruins, and Senators, Ullmark has compiled a 177-95-31 record to go along with 13 shutouts and a .915 save percentage. He’s gone 5-10 with an .885 in 15 playoff contests with Ottawa and Buffalo.

Ullmark has recently returned to practice, joining Leevi Merilainen and James Reimer, whom the team recently signed as insurance. The Senators sent down Merilainen to the AHL on Tuesday in favor of calling up AHL veteran Hunter Shepard, with Ullmark’s return date still up in the air.

“I’m not ready yet,” Ullmark said. “This is just a step along the way.”