Sens' Ryan: Isolation 'would have been really bad' without therapy

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Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan is grateful for the therapy he participated in earlier this season now that he, along with most of the world, is being forced to self-isolate.

In November, Ryan suffered a panic attack and was forced to leave the Senators to enter the NHL/NHLPA's player assistance program for alcohol abuse. He revealed the clarity he gained from the therapy is helping him now during such uncertain times.

"It would have been really bad going into this had I not gone through what I did back in the early part of December to get help," Ryan told TSN's Ian Mendes. "I couldn’t imagine being isolated with my family. It wouldn’t have been good for my marriage, because I wasn’t in a good place to really help."

Ryan added: "One of the things I’ve really learned in the past four and a half months is that there only a few things you can control. And what’s outside those limits are going to happen anyway. So just try and stay within the bubble. I can’t control the situation. I can only control thoughts."

Ryan returned to the Senators in February, and late in the month, produced one of the most memorable moments of the season, burying a hat trick versus the Vancouver Canucks in his first home game since his absence.

The 33-year-old is in his 13th NHL season, having posted 555 points in 833 career games.