Linus Ullmark made an emotional return to the Ottawa Senators' crease after a 35-day absence for mental health reasons, securing a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils with 26 saves on Saturday. Fans greeted him with cheers, signs of support, and a video tribute, while teammates and coaches emphasized the organization's backing. Ullmark, who had struggled with anxiety since a trade in June 2024, expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome.
Linus Ullmark's first game back came 35 days after he stepped away from the Senators for personal reasons related to mental health, marking his absence since a December 27 matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs where anxiety led to him being pulled after allowing four goals. The 35-year-old goaltender, acquired from the Boston Bruins in June 2024, had been consulting professionals through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and gradually reintegrated with the team by mid-January, starting with training and progressing to full practices.
On Saturday in Ottawa, Ullmark received a hero's welcome at the Canadian Tire Centre. Fans displayed signs like “Loud 4 Linus” and “Puck the Stigma” during warmups, and a pregame video tribute featured Ullmark discussing athletes' reluctance to address mental health issues, followed by messages from supporters including Senators legend Chris Phillips. As his name was announced, Ullmark nodded to the crowd and pounded his chest amid roaring applause.
“There’s a lot of things that we take for granted when it comes to hockey in general,” Ullmark said. “And I’m really thankful for the support from the fans, warmups, during the anthems, and throughout the game as well.”
In the game, Ullmark found his rhythm early, making key saves and earning praise as the Senators built a lead. He finished with 26 saves in the win, named the first star of the night. Captain Brady Tkachuk called him “our MVP tonight.”
Teammates welcomed Ullmark back with hugs in the dressing room. Forward Michael Amadio noted the surprise and joy of seeing him, while defenseman Jake Sanderson highlighted his positive energy: “He’s all smiles, and I think it rubs off on our team, too.” Winger Fabian Zetterlund added, “They love him here. It means a lot for him.”
Support extended beyond Ottawa. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck offered encouragement, with Hellebuyck criticizing speculation about Ullmark's absence: “I just felt really sad... really created a story and really attacked the guy.”
Coach Travis Green stressed patience: “When he’s ready to play, he’ll play... no one’s rushing him back.” Ullmark, who watched recent games from afar including a loss to the Nashville Predators, used tools like an X-tracker in practice to sharpen focus. He even congratulated rookie Stephen Halliday on his first NHL goal post-loss in Nashville, saying, “Finally, eh?”
Entering the game, Ullmark held a 14-8-5 record with a .881 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average. His performance boosted Ottawa to a three-game win streak, though the team sits eight points out of a wild-card spot with 27 percent playoff odds. Teammates like Tkachuk acknowledged shared pressure: “I know there’s pressure on me. There’s pressure on a lot of guys in this room.”
“It’s been a battle coming back,” Ullmark admitted, likening practices to emerging from retirement. “The support in this locker room has been tremendous... I can’t thank them enough.”
