Adversity: Vancouver Canucks Forward Tyler Motte

[@prodbysoraunt]

we love motter

[@mikes8815]

My new favorite hockey player. ❤️

[@coolnezz0944]

Motte is I super underrated player. He worked extremely hard last playoffs and ended up getting 4 goals in the STL series. His hard work continued into this season as a one point he had 5 goals in 11 games. He can also play on the PK

[@caiounruh6990]

What a world class player and person, you’re the man Tyler!!

[@gplum790]

Incredible sharing!!! Thank you for opening yourself. You are strong and your message will make others stronger!!!

[@wynncollier8284]

Thanks Tyler for showing how incredibly strong you are as opening up about your struggles with your mental health takes incredible strength! So wonderful to watch you playing with the Rangers!

[@mamabear7688]

I applaud you Tyler for recognizing you needed help and then for finding the strength to reach out. It is not easy but so worth it and I am grateful that you are sharing your story and truth. You are not alone. I'm so glad that you are finding ways/building tools to make the battle easier for you. (Ironically, one of my tools is watching you guys play hockey!) I wish you all the best on your journey.

[@creaturefiends9490]

Thank you Tyler motte I understand I suffer from the same issues and more but seeing people I look up to has helped me a lot after 27 years I finally seeked the help I needed for many years appreciate you as a person and player sir

[@stevenbest6470]

Tyler is very brave to reveal All. He is an important part of the team. He has continued to progress and he will be an awesome player. Best wishes and continued success to this special man. God Bless him and his loved ones.

[@wideload5271]

we can't lose this guy ! he's a guy that is a difference maker come playoffs and will show his value and become a star, I just hope we can get in so he can show it!

[@Supe063]

Thanks Tyler

[@walkerfamilyconnections8377]

You're doing it. Way to go!

[@nonohockey]

A great hockey player

[@GoCanucks2011]

You're not alone': Tyler Motte hopes to inspire others to discuss their mental health ----------------- When Tyler Motte arrived in Vancouver last year for Canucks training camp, he underwent a physical with team doctors. They took Motte's vitals, conducted measurements, made sure all of his limbs worked correctly. Everything looked fine. Then the doctor asked: "Is there anything else you have going on, anything else we should be concerned about before camp?" Motte, now 25, paused for a moment. "Actually," he said. "There is one thing." Then the words started flowing out of his mouth before he could consider the significance. "Earlier in the summer, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression," Motte said. "Do we have somebody for that?" At that moment, Motte no longer held on to a secret. It wasn't just him, his close family and his girlfriend who knew what he was going through. His employer knew as well. Although the conversation with the doctor was in confidence, Motte made himself vulnerable. Although the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sports is slowly eroding, there's still a reason that many athletes don't come forward with their experiences. It could trickle up to coaches and management, those who determine Motte's playing time, contract and status with the team. It could make someone view Motte in a different light. But Motte trusted the Canucks. He needed to create a support system for himself. Because that support system became so strong, he eventually realized that he could help others. "It was an interesting feeling, to ask someone else for help," Motte said. "But I'm very glad I did." Hockey has come a long way when it comes to understanding and accepting mental health disorders, but as with the rest of society, there is still a way to go. For the past decade, every January, the Canadian #BellLetsTalk campaign sweeps social media, with hundreds of players and coaches in the league sharing the hashtag intended to normalize conversations about mental health. In 2018 came a landmark moment for the NHL: Goalie Robin Lehner came forward with his story after being diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder, as well as ADHD and post-traumatic stress. As his disorders went undiagnosed for years, Lehner became addicted to prescription sleeping pills and alcohol, and he eventually entered the NHL and NHLPA's substance abuse and behavioral health program. As Lehner has noted, the program is confidential and designed for athletes to hide. Lehner wanted to be upfront and public about his experiences, knowing that he would have to interact with teammates, trainers and coaches on a daily basis and needed their support. "I think we are living in a time where transparency and authenticity is valued," commissioner Gary Bettman said of Lehner in 2019. "But I can't remember another player in my time in the NHL who has been this open about such issues." That leads to Motte, who in many ways is a very typical player in the NHL. For years, dating to when he was a teenager with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Motte Tweeted #BellLetsTalk along with teammates. "Then, I might not have truly understood what I was doing," Motte said. "I just knew what the cause was and the purpose. But now, going through my experiences, I understand how important it is." When Lehner came forward with his story, Motte took notice, despite not knowing the goalie. "I remember feeling empowered," Motte said. "Feeling like it takes courage to just share what's going on on such a personal deep level. I respected it, but I think at that time, I didn't fully understand what I was going through either." It's sometimes hard for Motte to find the words to talk about his mental health disorders, mostly because they are nuanced. There was no "aha" moment, no breaking point, no blow-up that led to a diagnosis. There were, however, gradual signs. Motte grew up in a small town of about 5,000 called St. Clair, Michigan, which is along the Canadian border just south of Sarnia, Ontario. He picked up hockey because his older brother, C.J., played goalie. Motte wanted to follow C.J.'s footsteps. "Luckily, my parents talked me out of being a goalie," he said. Motte has long been on a strong trajectory. He committed to the University of Michigan his sophomore year of high school. He played for the National Team Development Program for two years alongside plenty of future NHLers, including JT Compher, Seth Jones, Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin. In 2013, Motte was drafted in the fourth round (No. 121 overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks, and he signed a pro contract after three years at Michigan.

[@markgreen4612]

I love watching Tyler's drive.

[@kcho4829]

Bring this guy back to ny

[@LaxfanLaxfan]

Dont let the media get to you . you made this far bye being you so dont listen to anyone talking down to you . but easier said then done chin up play your hardest to stay in the NHL .play like u did for free just have fun keep your head up not down thats how u get hit . cheer up theres always next shift to play your hardest .

[@lolroflshiplmfao]

So when are you coming off of the IR?

[@TheFaustianMan]

Come back to the Rangers. You will return. It has been forseen. It is inevitable.

[@LeoMajor1]

under 10k views for the entire series hey sportsnet maybe not everyone is about woke cancel culture like you think, the woke people you were looking for to watch this were too busy looking for more people to cancel then help spread anything useful, how much money did ya blow?

[@Brvce_Wayne]

Wtf is this comment? Are you serious? Views have nothing to do with this. Even if this series impacted one person, or got one person to get help for mental illness, or led to someone recognizing the suffering of a loved one, it’s all worth it. This is one of the best series Sportsnet has ever done.

[@carolbennetti5009]

I wish him the best in a he does on and off the ice!