Connor Ingram in goal for the Kamloops Blazers in 2014/via Jason Franson, Edmonton Journal

Former Kamloops Blazers goaltender Connor Ingram is taking some time off from hockey to get some psychological help.

The NHL Players Association confirmed on Sunday that Ingram, who has been splitting time in goal for the Utah Hockey Club, that Ingram has checked into the NHLPA Players Assistance Program.

“The National Hockey League Players’ Association and National Hockey League announced today that goaltender Connor Ingram of the Utah Hockey Club will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the player assistance program of the NHL and NHLPA,” stated the Players Association on its website Sunday.

“Under the terms of the joint program, he will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.”

While normally associated with substance use issues, for which Ingram himself has used the program before, he’s suggested in an online post that this time it’s about getting himself right so that he doesn’t relapse.

I’ll be back. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/c5HTbRqFdx

— Connor Ingram (@CBIngram1) March 9, 2025

His post talks about the loss of his mother earlier in the season to breast cancer, and the impact that it’s had on him.

“After trying to make a return to playing, I have come to realize that I am not myself,” he wrote.

He goes on to clarify that this is about him checking himself in for mental health reasons, rather than a relapse into issues with alcohol which he struggled with at the beginning of his career.

“Though many view the program as a resource for substance abuse, I want to recognize all that they do,” said Ingram in his post.

“I am once again privileged to have access to their network of world class health professionals to hopefully avoid long term negative effects of putting your health second.”

Ingram went through the Players Assistance program in 2021 for issues with alcohol when he was with Nashville’s organization, later being diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

After going through treatment and being moved to the Arizona Coyotes, Ingram would become the team’s starter last season, finishing the season with 6 shutouts, a 2.91 goals against average and a .907 save percentage on an Arizona team which once-again failed to make the playoffs.

Photo via NHL

Through this, he earned the Bill Masterson Trophy last year, which is given to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

The 27-year old began this season as Utah’s number 1 but began splitting more and more time with Karel Vejmelka as –it now turns out– he was struggling with the mental part of his game, posting a 3.27 GAA and an .882 save percentage in 22 games this season.

It will be up to the NHLPA’s Assistance Program as to when he’ll be able to return, even though he checked in on his own accord.

Despite this, the Saskatoon native, who spent three seasons with the Blazers from 2014 to 2017, and was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 3rd round of the 2016 draft, does intend to return.

“I’ll be back” wrote Ingram on X.

The Kamloops Blazers goaltender Connor Ingram.