It was late Sunday evening that the news came that Linus Ullmark, named the NHL's best goaltender in 2023, is taking an indefinite break from ice hockey for personal reasons.
Just a few days before Sam Hallam will present Tre Kronor's squad for the Olympics in Milan-Cortina in February on Friday.
The information from Ottawa was scant.
“Out of respect for Linus, we will not be making any further comments,” Ottawa wrote in a press release.
Sam Hallam would not say whether Ullmark is available for the Olympics.
It's pretty clear from the little information that has come out that it's not something that's being talked about right now; it's Linus who owns that issue. The most important thing is that Linus is doing well, says Sam Hallam.
Linus Ullmark has had an up-and-down season. In wins, the 32-year-old Ullmark is eighth among NHL goaltenders with 14, but by save percentage the Swede is 52nd at 88.1 percent.
In that category, rising star Jesper Wallstedt of Minnesota leads with 92.1 percent.
The Olympic tournament in Milan-Cortina will be the first since Sochi 2014 where NHL players are available to play.
