Ottawa Senators’ Bobby Ryan Returns, Scores Hat Trick in 1st Home Game Since November

Ottawa Senators veteran right wing Bobby Ryan played his first home game since mid November on February 27th. In most cases, one would assume he had spent 3 1/2 months recovering from an injury, but Ryan returned after battling something more insidious. After skating in a loss at Buffalo on November 16th, Ryan entered the NHL/National Hockey League Players Association Joint Assistance program four days later to help battle alcohol addiction. He returned to action in the Senators’ 3-2 loss at Nashville on February 25th, and then took to home ice on the 27th versus the Vancouver Canucks, his first home game since November 15th.

Ryan received a standing ovation in his return, and had one of those Hollywood storyline games, scoring his fifth career hat trick in Ottawa’s 5-2 victory.

Ryan had not played much or well when he played at all earlier in the season; he only scored one goal, on Opening Night, in his 16 games before entering rehab, and had three assists. The Senators haven’t had much success this season (only the Detroit Red Wings have a worse record in the NHL Eastern Conference) so this warm welcome back for a player who is, at present, successfully battling his own demons is something to cheer about.