Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) DLitt
Clint Malarchuk was born in Grand Prairie, Alberta, and played professional hockey in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Quebec Nordiques, the Washington Capitals, and the Buffalo Sabres, and in the International Hockey League (IHL) for the Las Vegas Thunder.
After leaving the NHL as a player, he served as head coach of the IHL Las Vegas Thunder and the Idaho Steelheads. He worked as a goaltending coach for the NHL’s Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers and Calgary Flames.
Malarchuk suffered a serious on ice accident while tending goal for the Buffalo Sabres; a skate severed his jugular vein and he almost died on the ice in front of thousands of fans.
Living with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, Malarchuk survived a suicide attempt, which finally led to treatment and recovery.
His book, The Crazy Game: How I Survived The Crease And Beyond, published in 2014, was the beginning of his mental health advocacy and charity work. Malarchuck now speaks to audiences about mental health, PTSD, depression, suicide and his own struggles with mental illness.
Nipissing University will bestow Clint Malarchuck with an honorary doctor of letters.