Cheating Death Twice, Malarchuk Shares His Story In Sudbury

By: Nick Liard

Clint Malarchuk led the life that would be a dream for most Canadians but inside his life was a nightmare.

Malarchuk was a long time goalie in the NHL but battled mental illness which only got worse after an on ice accident where his throat was slashed by a skate.

It all came to a head when Malarchuk tried to kill himself eight years ago, but now after writing a book he has a new lease on life, one that looks to end the stigma of mental health.

He says one young man came up to him in a book signing and told him how his father found his suicide note and that finding Malarchuk saved his life.

Malarchuk says no physical injury comes close to what it’s like to live with a mental illness.

He says the stigma is somewhat reduced but wants there be a time where you can have a conversation with your boss about mental illness and there be a solution, like there would be with any other disease.

“A Conversation With Clint” goes tonight at 6:30 pm at the United Steelworkers Hall.