Corey Perry’s focus is not on hockey right now. As the veteran forward made clear in a statement released after the Chicago Blackhawks terminated his contract for a material breach, Perry is prioritizing his family and his health in this period in which he’s not employed by a team during the NHL season for the first time since 2004.

“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again,” Perry wrote in a statement released Thursday. “I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me.”

The specific details of what caused Chicago to cut ties with its alternate captain remain unknown. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson called it a “workplace matter” and indicated that it didn’t involve criminal activity.

Perry’s case appears to land somewhere in the middle of those two poles, at least based on how Davidson loosely framed what went on during an emotional media availability in Chicago on Tuesday night.

However, he does have the right to take his case to an independent arbitrator, pursuant to Article 17 of the NHL’s CBA.

Perry is already an unrestricted free agent and possesses all of the rights afforded to any player in that situation.