Bobby Ryan arrested at Nashville airport

Former NHLer Bobby Ryan has been arrested at Nashville International Airport, according to a report from ScoopNashville.com.

The former Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings player retired in 2021 after winning the Bill Masterton Trophy for dedication and perseverance. Ryan, of course, has been open about his struggles with alcoholism after a stint with the NHL's rehabilitation program. If you're not up to speed on Ryan's entire life story, do yourself a favor and give it a Google. Suffice it to say that he's had a rough ride to the top and it appears that he's still struggling to cope with his mental health problems.

Personally, I'll never forget when Ryan scored a hat trick in his return from alcohol addiction recovery.

Details from the arrest from ScoopNashville.com:

35-year-old storied NHL Hockey star Bobby Ryan... was arrested in Nashville Monday at the Nashville International Airport. An airport store reported that Ryan had taken items and left without paying and alerted Airport Police, who observed him on security cameras. Ryan left the stolen items on a counter along his way and entered Little Harpeth Brewing, where officers found him seated at the bar ordering a drink. Police say he was not compliant with them, was extremely intoxicated, and did not know where he was, the date, or the time, and could not stand on his own. The store declined prosecution on the recovered items, and Ryan was jailed for public intoxication.

Damn... that's tough to read. Alcohol relapse is no joke and it should be taken seriously. I sincerely hope that this is Ryan's "rock bottom" and that he can once again build his life back up. At the end of the day this is hopefully a blip on the radar. No one got hurt, Ryan likely won't incur any charges and he should pull through this embarrassing matter a better person. At least, that's the hope. Getting drunk and belligerent in an airport is a crime, but there are far worse things that can happen when a sober person relapses. Again, hopefully Ryan takes this embarrassing moment in stride and comes out even better on the other side. He's got the support of the entire hockey world behind him if he needs it.