Florida Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight is out indefinitely as he receives care from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the NHL and NHLPA announced Friday.
Knight is 9-8-3 in 21 starts for the Panthers this season with a 3.18 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage and one shutout. He last appeared in a 7-3 loss to Nashville on Feb. 18 and was sent to the AHL earlier this week.
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The 21-year-old is in his third NHL season after being drafted by Florida with the No. 13 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He started three games as a rookie in 2020-21 and a career-high 27 games last season.
The NHL and NHL Players Association started the player assistance program in 1996. The jointly funded program assists players and their families with mental health, substance abuse and other matters. Counselors are available in each NHL city.
Under the terms of the joint program, Knight will continue to be paid while receiving treatment and return when cleared for on-ice competition by program administrators.
The Panthers are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division at 29-25-6.
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(Photo: Jerome Miron / USA Today)
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