The Capitals blueliner has appeared in 24 games this season after signing a two-year deal in December.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals will be without one of their defensemen indefinitely, as Ethan Bear has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Bear will receive care from the program and return once he is cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.

The 26-year-old defenseman, who signed a two-year deal to join the Capitals in December after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, has appeared in 24 games for D.C., picking up a goal and three assists.

Of late, he has primarily been a healthy scratch with Alex Alexeyev earning more ice time amid the team's playoff push.

The NHL/NHLPA PLayer Assistance Program was created in 1996 when the league and the players' association came together to provide a resource for players to reach out for help. This program assists players and their families in dealing with mental health, substance abuse and other issues.

Through the program, players have access to multiple resources while in the program, including a hotline, counselors and mental health professionals. Confidentiality and privacy are vital parts of the program, so the league and players' association do not disclose the reason players have entered. However, they can elect to speak on it if they choose to do so.

While in the program, players will continue to get paid, and there are no salary cap implications. However, they do not count against the 23-man roster limit.

With regard to how long players are in the program, it depends. There are no time limits or requirements and it is often on a case-by-case basis.

With Bear out indefinitely, Washington has recalled defenseman Vincent Iorio from the AHL's Hershey Bears.