Former NHL Star Opens Up About Depression And Multiple Suicide Attempts

An NHL star has opened up about his depression and multiple suicide attempts.

Clint Malarchuk, a former Quebec Nordiques goalie, is widely remembered in NHL for the horrifying incident in 1989 when he almost bled to death after a skate sliced his neck.

The gruesome injury put Malarchuk’s name in the list of most unforgettable moments in NHL, depression and suicide attempts appeared to be a lot more traumatic for the Ice Hockey legend.

Just recently, Malarchuk has gone public with his daily struggle with depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. The 58-year-old goaltender once again told his story in a new documentary which debuted just a few days ago.

Malarchuk believes that athletes like him are perceived as tough human beings. As a result, they normally do not want to admit about the struggles they are experiencing, Washington Post reported.

“Most people think it’s a weakness, [but] you’re not weak. You’re sick! With athletes, we’re kind of depicted as really tough. We do not want to admit that we are struggling in any way because of the stigma. Mental illness is real, and it’s out there,” Malarchuk said in “Headstrong: Mental Health & Sports,” a documentary produced in partnership with Religion of Sports that will air Thursday night on NBC Sports Regional Networks.

Malarchuk then revealed that he tried killing himself “three times” before realizing that God has other plans for him.

“I almost died three times. You kind of reflect on that, and I use the phrase that I figured God spared me for those still suffering. To be walking around with a bullet in my head is kind of incredible. It makes you reflect on things,” Malarchuk revealed.

The former Washington Capitals goaltender, also recalled taking as estimated four or five pills in the hope to finally end his life.

“More than I should have, and then I drained a bottle of Scotch. My heart stopped. I woke up in the hospital,” Malarchuk recalled.

After the said suicide attempt in 2008, Malarchuk started to get professional and moral help, medication and the right doctor. He even noted in the documentary that he’s a “suicide survivor” and he would never want to go back to the darkest days of his life again.

“I’m a suicide survivor. I don’t want to go down that road again. When you wake up and you’ve got a bullet in your head and it’s still there, you’ve got to start thinking about stuff,” Malarchuk said.