Lehner declines the invitation to play for Sweden at the 2022 Olympics
Robin Lehner will not play for Sweden at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The Vegas Golden Knights goalkeeper said he did not accept an invitation to participate in the men’s hockey tournament, scheduled for February 9-19, due to health reasons discussed with his psychiatrist.
“I actually refused to go to the Olympics,” Lehner said after a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday. “I’d rather it come from me than anyone else.”
Lehner was expected to compete with Jacob Markström of the Flames to start for Sweden. Later on Sunday, he said he was disappointed to have to make the difficult decision to turn down a chance that is only once in a lifetime.
“The reality is [has] said about how it will be is not ideal for my mental health “, Lehner said via Twitter.” My well-being [has to] come first, and to be locked in and not know what happens if you test positive (for covid-19) it is [too] great risk for me. Sweden will have a fantastic team, and Markström is a beast. Hope people understand. “
Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said he expects Lehner to play 50-60 games this season. The 30-year-old has not started at least 50 games since 2017-18 (50 for the Buffalo Sabers). His record in his NHL career is 58 with the Sabers 2016-17.
Lehner is 10-9-0 with 3.02 goals against the average and 0.910 save percentage in 19 games this season.
“I have not known for a long time, but I know it was a decision [Robin] weighed, “said DeBoer.” There are many factors that I think went into it. I think we are determined to make sure we have two solid goalkeepers here and that both guys play. “Whether Robin goes to the Olympics or not goes to the Olympics, I do not think the changes and ‘LB’ (backup Laurent Brossoit) have shown that he can play and help us.”
DeBoer will be Canada’s assistant to Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper.
“I think it’s a very personal decision,” said DeBoer. “Every guy who has that opportunity must weigh the opportunity to play in the Olympics. You dream about it, with everything else that belongs to that part, family and health. It’s really personal for everyone. I know I’m given an opportunity to go. I would swim there if I get a chance to go. “
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad, Lightning defender Victor Hedman and the Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog were the first names sent in to be part of Sweden’s team at the 2022 Olympics.
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association reached an agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation for NHL players to participate in the Olympics after the NHL skipped the Olympics in PyeongChang 2018. The regular season 2021-22 will be suspended from February 3-22 for the Honda NHL All-Star Weekend 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and the men’s Olympic hockey tournament.
The agreement provides an opportunity for a later decision to withdraw from the event if developing covid-19 conditions by the NHL and the NHLPA are deemed impractical or uncertain.
Lehner has been an advocate for mental health since he revealed in 2018 that he was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that he had struggled with alcohol abuse and an addiction to sleeping pills.
“I will always advocate mental health,” Lehner said on October 5. “If it can help one percent, I’m really happy about it.”
Lehner, who was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the second round (No. 46) of the 2009 NHL Draft, has 139-133-47 with a 2.71 GAA, .917 save percentage and 16 shutouts in 339 games (320 starts) for the Senators. Sabers, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks and Golden Knights. He was the finalist for the 2019 Vezina Trophy, named the best goalie in the NHL, after going 25-13-5 with a 2.13 GAA, .930 save percentage and six shutouts for the Islanders, all personal records for an entire NHL season.