It appears as though Mike Ribeiro has played his last professional hockey game.
Ribeiro’s agent, Bob Perno, spoke to La Presse in Montreal, expressing concerns over the forward’s well-being. Ribeiro has battled alcoholism throughout his NHL career.
“All I know, is that Mike hasn’t laced up the skates once since the end of the season,” said Perno, whose quotes were translated by NBCSports. “He doesn’t train anymore and he doesn’t go out on the ice anymore. He’s going to retire.
“There’s not one NHL team or a team in Europe that has reached out to me to ask about him. The way his career is going to end is really disappointing.”
The Nashville Predators waived Ribeiro in February, after the forward put up four goals and 25 points in 46 games. He joined the Predators in July of 2014 after being bought out of a four-year contract by the Arizona Coyotes due to behavioural issues.
“No one knows what he’s up to these days,” said Perno. “The problem, is that Mike doesn’t believe he’s sick. In his head, everything is fine. He left the rehab program offered by the NHL last winter. We’re really worried, but we can’t do anything.
“Every time my phone rings, I hope it’s him calling me.”
The Montreal native was drafted in 1998 by his hometown team and he played 276 games with the Canadiens before being traded to the Dallas Stars – with whom Ribeiro reached career highs in goals (27) and points (83) in 2007-08.
The 37-year-old has also spent time with Washington in his 17-year NHL career, which has seen him total 228 goals and 793 points in 1,074 games.
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