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THE HOCKEY REPORT

“Good Evening, Boston. This is Colton, and I’m here at Bolts Arena to bring you a special edition of the Hockey Report. We’ve just been told that Aiden Langfield will be making a statement.”

“Yes, Colton. All four Langfield brothers have funneled into the press room, and it appears that the Bolts have decided to skip the showers and game-day suits. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Beckett Langfield look so disheveled. What’s even more strange is that he’s smiling.”

“Good evening, everyone,” Sara Case, head of Bolts PR, says into the mic. “As I mentioned a few moments ago, Aiden Langfield will not be taking questions. But he does have a statement. We ask that you refrain from interrupting him. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Sara. And thank you to the press for giving me the opportunity to say a few words,” Aiden starts. “Most of you probably know me as a generally happy guy. I strive to always have time to talk to the press, to give you guys some good clips and funny moments. For years, I’ve used those instances, when I’ve pushed myself to portray the happy-go-lucky guy Boston expects, as an excuse for how I felt afterward. Because what you all don’t see is that more often than not, the day after a game or another big event, I feel empty. Sad. Depressed.

“It’s always bothered me, because let’s be honest, how could a guy who has everything—an amazing career, a supportive family, the best damn fiancée he could ask for—be unhappy?” Pressing his lips together, he takes in the crowd. “But sometimes I am, and because I haven’t been effectively treating my depression, I had a panic attack on the ice tonight. You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all this. It’s not to excuse my poor performance. It’s because I want to help others. Here I am, an adult with unlimited resources, and even I was too scared to ask for help. Ashamed to admit that I wasn’t ‘normal.’

“But my fiancée reminded me that there are a lot of people out there like me, and there’s a chance that, like I was, they’re too afraid to speak up. Worried about how the stigma of suffering from a mental illness will affect their career. How people look at us. How we look at ourselves.

“Because I want to make my fiancée proud, and because my niece said to me the other day that she couldn’t believe I felt this way because I always ‘seem so happy,’ I want to say this out loud, to all of you: I suffer from depression. I see a therapist, and I will continue to do so. I’ll also seek out a professional opinion regarding medication.” He lets out a sigh. “And I’m going to be okay. Sara tells me that we will be updating our social media pages with resources to help those of you who suffer from depression and need someone to talk to. I hope you take us up on this. I know I’m glad I finally spoke my truth. Thank you.”

The room erupts, reporters shouting questions, but Sara returns to the podium. “As we said, we will not be taking questions at this time. We’ll have more information for you tomorrow. Thank you all and have a good night.”

“Wow,” Eliza whispers.

“I think we owe Aiden Langfield an apology,” Colton says, his voice gruff.

“You never know what someone is going through,” Eliza muses. “We’ll be back after a word from our sponsors…”