Avalanche’s Samuel Girard returns from players’ assistance program

Samuel Girard has rejoined the Colorado Avalanche after spending nearly a month away from the team.

Girard participated in the team’s morning skate Thursday ahead of a game against the Ottawa Senators. He entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program last month, which the league announced Nov. 24.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Girard will not play against the Senators.

“We’ll treat it like any injury,” Bednar said. “He’s healthy now, 100%. Get him up to speed and get him back as soon as we can, but we’ll just monitor him and keep him an eye on him while he’s on the ice. Converse every day and when he’s feeling like he’s ready to play, then he’ll go in. It won’t be today.”

Girard released a statement through his agency, CAA, when he entered the program, saying he needed to take care of his mental health. He was seeking help for severe anxiety and depression, which had led to alcohol abuse.

Bednar said members of the organization’s medical staff and general manager Chris MacFarland were in contact with Girard while he was in the program.

“Awesome, just awesome,” Avs defenseman Devon Toews said when asked about Girard’s return to the team. “Somebody that took challenges and addressed them and moved forward with it. He’s a big part of our team and a big part of our leadership in here, so to have him back is obviously a big boost. To see him smiling and to see him buzzing around, twirling on the ice today was fun to watch.”

Cale Makar, who has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, and Andrew Cogliano, who missed the last game with an undisclosed injury, were also on the ice Thursday morning. Nathan MacKinnon and Ross Colton were not.

Bednar said MacKinnon and Colton were taking a maintenance day, and are expected to play. He said Makar is a possibility to rejoin the lineup.

The Avs could be creeping closer to having a full allotment of players available, with Artturi Lehkonen (neck) the only regular from the season-opening lineup not on the ice with the team over the past couple of days. Getting Makar and Girard back in the coming days could help stabilize a club that has lost seven of its past 11 games (4-5-2).

“It’s just great to see (Girard),” Avs defenseman Jack Johnson said. “I’m glad he’s doing well. He walked in with a big smile on his face. The more we can get our team back together, the better. He’s a big part of our team, a good player and we need him.”