Skip to content

Malarchuk a tough dude

It is difficult to believe that it’s been almost 25 years since Alberta-born goaltender Clint Malarchuk nearly lost his life in one of the most terrifying accidents ever seen in sport.

It is difficult to believe that it’s been almost 25 years since Alberta-born goaltender Clint Malarchuk nearly lost his life in one of the most terrifying accidents ever seen in sport. A goal crease collision resulted in Clint receiving a six-inch gash to his throat and the blood was gushing onto the ice like water from a hose with each beat of his heart.

It was a horrific time for me in that this is the same guy who had played several years of ball for my Molson Canadians and had become a good friend. But it was an even scarier time for my daughter Debbie who had become maybe the biggest fan of the Buffalo Sabres netminder.

Anyway, having watched it happen on television I was a bit shook up but knew there was nothing I could do and went to bed hoping for the best. But I was up early the next morning to answer the telephone and it was Debbie crying uncontrollably, convinced that: “Clint’s dead, dad. Clint’s dead.” Trying to calm her down but not knowing whether she was right or not I told her I would check it out and get back to her as quickly as I could.

I then called the Sabre front office to ask what hospital he’d been taken to. Not only did the Sabre receptionist tell me the name of the hospital but also gave me the telephone number. What happened then is a most amazing story. I called the hospital, asked for the ward that Clint was on and when I was put through a nurse answered. I asked if she could give me an update on the condition of Clint Malarchuk. Her reply was, and I remember these words ever so well: “I can do better than that. Give me your number and I’ll have Clint call you as soon as he’s finished with the press conference he is conducting in his hospital room.”

Eleven hours after a skate blade had almost taken his life, which was saved only by the quick work of the Sabres trainer, he was staging a press conference at which he showed the media the 300 stitches they needed to close the cut. He actually left the hospital that day.

As you may or may not know he is now the goaltending coach with the Calgary Flames. But the above story just goes to show you how tough this man was and what a competitor he was.

But I must say it was a relieved daughter that I called that memorable morning to say the talk of Clint’s death was false. As I said earlier Clint used to play ball for me probably 30 years ago. One day he was forced, because of things that happened on the ice, to get a major nose operation. That operation took place on a day that we had a game scheduled and he showed up, nose covered in bandages and obviously still leaking a bit, but just to watch us play.

But we were short a player. True to his cowboy ways he went back to his car, got his glove and cleats and took up his position on the right field line. Wouldn’t you just know it a ball in the first inning was hit in his area and he not only fielded it but took full swings and actually ran the bases in great pain and with blood oozing through the bandages.

He was, and probably still is, one tough, tough cowboy.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks