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The troubled life of an ice hockey hero

Former ice hockey star Clint Malarchuk’s three brushes with death led him to speak out about his experience. Now he’s helping others talk about their own mental health struggles.

In 1989, Canadian ice hockey goaltender Clint Malarchuk was playing for top National Hockey League team the Buffalo Sabres, when he suffered a horrific injury to his neck. Knowing his mother was watching the NHL match on live TV, he staggered off the ice. Luckily Clint survived and within ten days he was back playing for his team - everyone called him a hero. What many didn’t see was the impact the incident had on his mental health. In the following years, the repercussions of that day would take him to one of the darkest moments of his life. (This interview was first broadcast in April 2021.)

If you’ve been affected by anything you heard in Clint’s interview, support is available through the BBC Action Line website or via Befrienders Worldwide.

TV commentary of Buffalo Sabres vs St Louis, 22 March 1989: courtesy of Buffalo Sabres.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Patrick Kiteley / Andrea Rangecroft

Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Clint Malarchuk of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net during an NHL game in November, 1990. Credit: Getty Images)

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27 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Sep 202302:32GMT
BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

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