After the Penguins acquired Sam Girard from Colorado, former Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson shared this message on Twitter: "Sam Girard appreciation post. We were coming off of the worst season in franchise history when we got G. From that moment on we were a perennial playoff team. G was a huge part of that and a big reason for our success. G went through personal issues in the public eye and came back a better man. He should be celebrated and thanked for what he did in Colorado. We were lucky to have him. Good luck Sammy!!"
The "personal issues" cited by Johnson is a reference to Girard entering the player assistance program in 2023 for what Girard described as "severe anxiety and depression that has gone untreated for too long and led to alcohol abuse."
THE ASYLUM
After the Penguins acquired Sam Girard from Colorado, former Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson shared this message on Twitter: "Sam Girard appreciation post. We were coming off of the worst season in franchise history when we got G. From that moment on we were a perennial playoff team. G was a huge part of that and a big reason for our success. G went through personal issues in the public eye and came back a better man. He should be celebrated and thanked for what he did in Colorado. We were lucky to have him. Good luck Sammy!!"
The "personal issues" cited by Johnson is a reference to Girard entering the player assistance program in 2023 for what Girard described as "severe anxiety and depression that has gone untreated for too long and led to alcohol abuse."
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