Hockey Player Throat Slashed By Skate
The Incident
On March 22, 1989, the Buffalo Sabres were playing against the St. Louis Blues when a routine play turned into a nightmare for their goalie, Clint Malarchuk. In the middle of the game, Steve Tuttle, a Blues forward, and Uwe Krupp, a Sabres defenseman, collided with each other and crashed into the net. As they fell, Tuttle's skate blade accidentally hit Malarchuk's neck, causing a massive wound that left him bleeding profusely on the ice.
Malarchuk later recounted that he could feel the warmth of his own blood pouring out of his neck and that he was convinced he was going to die. He also remembers seeing the horrified expression on his mother's face, who was watching the game on TV in his hometown of Grand Prairie, Alberta.
The Aftermath
The accident caused a 10-inch gash in Malarchuk's neck, severing his jugular vein and narrowly missing his carotid artery. He managed to skate off the ice with the help of his teammates and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his life.
The incident was so gruesome that it caused some players to vomit on the ice, and the Sabres' coach, Jim Schoenfeld, fainted when he saw the extent of Malarchuk's injury. The game was postponed for several minutes while the ice was cleared of his blood.
Miraculously, Malarchuk survived the ordeal and returned to playing hockey just 10 days later, albeit with a protective throat guard. However, the physical scars were only part of the story; emotionally, Malarchuk struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression as a result of the incident.
The Psychological Toll
Malarchuk's near-death experience affected him deeply, and he struggled with suicidal thoughts and addiction in the years that followed. He was diagnosed with PTSD, a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events, which left him with nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety attacks.
In his book, "A Matter of Inches: How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond," Malarchuk describes the psychological toll of the incident in detail, writing that he was haunted by the "what ifs" of the accident and that he was constantly afraid of dying. He also shares that he turned to alcohol and prescription medication to cope with his anxiety and depression, which only exacerbated his problems.
The Legacy
Malarchuk's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of mental health. He has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about his struggles with PTSD, addiction, and suicide.
In a 2014 interview with ESPN, Malarchuk said he was grateful for the accident because it forced him to confront his demons and seek help. He also said that he hoped his story would inspire others to get the help they need for their mental health issues.
Today, Malarchuk is retired from hockey and works as a goalie coach for various NHL teams. He continues to speak out about mental health and is passionate about helping others who are struggling with similar issues.
Conclusion
The story of Clint Malarchuk's throat-slashing incident is one that will never be forgotten in the sports world. It was a tragedy that could have been much worse, but ultimately led to a greater awareness of mental health and the importance of seeking help for traumatic experiences.
Malarchuk's resilience and determination to overcome his struggles serve as an inspiration to many, and his legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments on the ice.
