Blues prospect Dean cleared to return by NHL, NHLPA player assistance program

ST LOUIS — St. Louis Blues prospect Zach Dean has been cleared to return to the team after spending time in the NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s Player Assistance Program, the club announced Thursday.

The Blues said Dean will report to the American Hockey League’s Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday.

Dean was admitted into the player assistance program, which provides confidential support and treatment for players and their families dealing with mental health, substance use or other personal issues, in September for undisclosed reasons.

The 22-year-old centre, who was born in Grande Prairie, Alta., and raised in Mount Pearl, N.L., was selected by Vegas in the first round, 30th overall, at the 2021 NHL draft. St. Louis acquired him in a February 2023 trade that sent forward Ivan Barbashev to the Golden Knights.

He played nine games with the Blues in 2023-24. He has 10 goals and eight assists in 60 games over two seasons with the Thunderbirds.

Dean helped Canada win gold at the 2023 world junior championship in Halifax and Moncton, N.B. He had a goal and two assists in seven games at the tournament.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 1, 2026.