Connor Ingram says getting help was key after getting first NHL win in his first game

It was a big night for Nashville Predators' goaltender Connor Ingram on Sunday. At 24 years of age, Ingram got the start in his first ever NHL game, and played very well. He stopped 33 of 35 shots en route to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Following the game, Ingram took to Twitter and credited putting his mental health first in getting the win.

"9 months to the day that I stepped away and went into the @NHLPA program for help I played my first game," said Ingram. "Amazing the things that happen when you put your mental health first. #LetsTalk"

It was never revealed exactly why Ingram entered the program, and that's fine. Knowing that he got the help he needed and never gave up on his NHL dream is enough. In Sunday's game, Ingram became the first goaltender in 1,804 days NOT named Pekka Rinne or Juuse Saros to make a start for the Predators. Ingram was a third round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016. He was acquired by Nashville in exchange for a seventh round pick at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

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