Golf Tournament has surprise special guest – Clint Malarchuk tells his own story of counselling

Flames fans had a special treat during the evening program at the CCC Charity Classic. New Flames goaltending coach, Clint Malarchuk made an incredible effort to participate in our tournament; he drove with his wife Joanie from Nevada, in time to greet the golfers coming off the greens and participate in the dinner's speeches. His story of hope reminding our audience: true strength includes good mental health.

Infamous for being the Buffalo Sabres goalie who, in 1989 had his jugular cut by a skate during an NHL game, Clint is now a key person the media are going to, to make sense of the recent tragic deaths of NHL players.

"Back then (when I had my accident)," he said during his address at the tournament, "we didn't know about counselling, or getting assistance to players or families. We were on our own – with the expectation that you 'shook it off' and came back to play as quickly as you could."

Clint very openly shared the finer points of his story with our audience. His struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder and depression; his time in counselling, all culminating in what he now feels is his mission, to encourage people to get the help they require to live their very best life possible.

The tournament audience thanked Clint for sharing his story with a standing ovation.

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