Coming Back from Tragedy – Clint and Joanie Malarchuk Share Their Story

Clint and Joanie Malarchuk shared their story to House of Friendship staff and program participants on March 25.

Clint Malarchuk knows a thing or two about beginning again.

The former NHL goaltender, most famous for surviving a skate blade to the neck (and returning to the ice 10 days later) has struggled back from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and addiction.

He also survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the skull, a suicide attempt when Clint found he couldn’t handle his challenges any longer.

“I know my purpose today,” said Clint. “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why you were born. I was born to be here.”

Clint and Joanie Malarchuk were guests of House of Friendship on March 25, sharing the story of their journey through addiction and recovery, as chronicled in Clint’s book, The Crazy Game, with staff and program participants.

Clint and Joanie shared their own unique perspectives over the course of an hour in a presentation that included both tears and laughter.

For Clint, the challenges and pressure of being an NHL goaltender and the expectation to always perform, along with growing up in a family where his father struggled with alcohol, all led to his own abuse of painkillers and alcohol — especially after he started suffering flashbacks from his horrific neck injury witnessed by thousands of NHL fans.

And, being an NHL player, he could continually renew prescriptions without ever seeing a doctor, making it more difficult to get help — until he reached the breaking point with a suicide attempt.

Joanie also shared her side of the journey, including the choices she made to stay with Clint, and the many challenges that came with that. Her message reminded audience members that family members, particularly spouses, are often forgotten during the addiction journey.

“I often thought. ‘what about me? Where’s the question about how are you doing?’ Nobody ever asks that. And if they do, it’s ‘oh, you are fine, you are the strong one – you handle it.’ And I remember thinking to myself, ‘I can’t handle it.'”

Both Joanie and Clint have gone through counselling, and have found different ways to find strength on their journey of recovery. Clint often meditates, and continues to receive help for flashbacks that he occasionally still experiences from his hockey injury.

When asked how long he has been clean and can sober, Clint offers this unique perspective.

“Today. It’s one day at a time, right? All we really have is today.”

If you are concerned about your substance use, or that of a loved one, call HERE-24-7 (1-844-437-3247) to access House of Friendship Addiction Treatment Services. For more information about our services, visit here.