Clint Malarchuk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clint Malarchuk |
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Malarchuk playing for the Quebec Nordiques in 1986
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| Born | May 1, 1961 Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Quebec Nordiques Washington Capitals Buffalo Sabres |
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| NHL Draft | 74th overall, 1981 Quebec Nordiques |
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| Playing career | 1981–1996 | ||
Clint Malarchuk (born May 1, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1981 to 1992. After his playing days, he became a coach for several NHL and minor league teams. He was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. Clint Malarchuk is well-known for surviving a serious injury during a game in 1989. A player's skate accidentally cut his neck, causing a lot of blood loss. Thanks to quick help, he recovered and returned to play hockey.
Contents
Playing Career: Clint Malarchuk's Journey in Hockey
Starting Out: Junior Hockey and Early NHL Days
Clint Malarchuk began his hockey journey playing junior hockey for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He then moved on to play professionally in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for teams like the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres. He also played in the International Hockey League (IHL).
Clint made his NHL debut with the Nordiques on December 13, 1981. He was just 20 years old. His first game was a 4–4 tie against the Buffalo Sabres. Two days later, he faced the strong New York Islanders. It was a tough game, and he was sent back to the minor leagues afterward. He returned to the NHL the next season.
Malarchuk played more regularly for the Quebec Nordiques starting in the 1985–86 season. He stayed there for two seasons. In 1987, he was traded to the Washington Capitals. Later, on March 6, 1989, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Just sixteen days after this trade, he would experience a life-threatening injury.
A Scary Moment: The Neck Injury
On March 22, 1989, during a game between the St. Louis Blues and the Buffalo Sabres, Clint Malarchuk suffered a very serious injury. Two players crashed near his goal. One player's skate blade accidentally hit Clint's neck. It cut a major artery and a vein, causing a lot of blood to gush out.
Despite the severe injury, Clint Malarchuk was able to leave the ice on his own. His team's athletic trainer, Jim Pizzutelli, quickly helped him. Many people watching were shocked by the sight. Clint later said he just wanted to get off the ice. He knew his mother was watching the game on TV. He didn't want her to see him in such a bad state. He even had someone call his mother to tell her he loved her.
Clint's life was saved because of the quick thinking of Jim Pizzutelli. The trainer, who had experience as a combat medic, immediately gripped Clint's neck. He pinched the blood vessels to stop the bleeding. He kept pressure on the wound until doctors arrived. Clint was conscious and even joked on the way to the hospital. He asked if he could be back in time for the third period of the game.
Clint Malarchuk lost about 1.5 liters of blood. Doctors needed 300 stitches to close the 6-inch wound. Amazingly, he was back on the ice playing hockey just ten days later.
Years later, in 2008, another hockey player, Richard Zedník, had a similar neck injury. Clint Malarchuk found it difficult to watch the footage. The incident reminded him of his own experience. He later worked to help others with their mental well-being, sharing his story.
Continuing to Play: Later Career
After his injury, Clint Malarchuk continued to play in the NHL for a few more years. He later left the NHL and played for the San Diego Gulls in the IHL in 1992–93. The next season, he became the starting goaltender for the Las Vegas Thunder. He had a great record of 34 wins, 10 losses, and 7 ties in 56 games. The Las Vegas Thunder honored him by retiring his jersey number. It now hangs from the rafters of the Thomas & Mack Center.
Coaching Career: From Player to Coach
After his playing career, Clint Malarchuk became a hockey coach. He served as a head coach and assistant general manager for the Las Vegas Thunder. He also coached the Idaho Steelheads. Later, he became a goaltending coach for several NHL teams. These included the Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers, and Calgary Flames. He worked with goalies to help them improve their skills.
Personal Life: Beyond the Rink
Clint Malarchuk is of Ukrainian descent. After he stopped playing hockey, he settled on a ranch in Nevada. There, he became a certified veterinary technician. He now works as a horse dentist from his ranch. He once had his camera flash stolen by his emus, which are large birds!
Clint's nickname in hockey was "the Cowboy Goalie." This was because he loved the rodeo scene in Alberta during the hockey off-season. He was even pictured riding a horse without a saddle in a newspaper. When he played for the Las Vegas Thunder, he was given horses as a bonus in his contract. He often said his cowboy upbringing helped him be tough enough to return to hockey after his injury.
In November 2014, Clint Malarchuk released his autobiography. It was called The Crazy Game in Canada and A Matter of Inches—How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond in the United States. The book became a bestseller and was even made into a documentary film.
Clint and his wife, Joan, now travel and speak at events. They talk about mental health and well-being, especially for athletes. They sometimes show the video of his injury to audiences. They always warn people that the images can be difficult to watch.
Career Statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1977–78 | Fort Saskatchewan Traders | AJHL | 33 | 23 | 9 | 1 | 2015 | 157 | 1 | 4.67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Fort Saskatchewan Traders | AJHL | 52 | 36 | 15 | 1 | 3030 | 204 | 1 | 4.04 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 2.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 37 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 1948 | 147 | 0 | 4.53 | .875 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 4.50 | — | ||
| 1980–81 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 38 | 28 | 8 | 0 | 2235 | 142 | 3 | 3.81 | .893 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 307 | 21 | 0 | 4.10 | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 | .788 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Fredericton Express | AHL | 51 | 15 | 34 | 2 | 2906 | 247 | 0 | 5.10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 900 | 71 | 0 | 4.63 | .863 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Fredericton Express | AHL | 25 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 1506 | 78 | 0 | 3.11 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 23 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 1215 | 80 | 0 | 3.95 | .865 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Fredericton Express | AHL | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 663 | 40 | 0 | 3.62 | .894 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Fredericton Express | AHL | 56 | 26 | 25 | 4 | 3347 | 198 | 2 | 3.55 | .885 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 379 | 20 | 0 | 3.17 | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 46 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 2657 | 142 | 4 | 3.21 | .895 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 143 | 11 | 0 | 4.62 | .864 | ||
| 1986–87 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 54 | 18 | 26 | 9 | 3092 | 175 | 1 | 3.40 | .884 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 8 | 0 | 3.43 | .857 | ||
| 1987–88 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 54 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 2924 | 154 | 4 | 3.16 | .885 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 193 | 15 | 0 | 4.65 | .842 | ||
| 1988–89 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 42 | 16 | 18 | 7 | 2428 | 141 | 1 | 3.48 | .877 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 326 | 13 | 1 | 2.39 | .908 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 5 | 0 | 5.07 | .844 | ||
| 1989–90 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 29 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1596 | 89 | 0 | 3.35 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 37 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 2131 | 119 | 1 | 3.35 | .891 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 246 | 17 | 0 | 4.15 | .853 | ||
| 1991–92 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 29 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 1639 | 102 | 0 | 3.73 | .887 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 3 | 1 | 1.50 | .947 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | San Diego Gulls | IHL | 27 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 1516 | 72 | 3 | 2.85 | .891 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 668 | 34 | 0 | 3.05 | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 55 | 34 | 10 | 7 | 3076 | 172 | 1 | 3.35 | .892 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 257 | 16 | 0 | 3.74 | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 38 | 15 | 13 | 3 | 2039 | 127 | 0 | 3.74 | .883 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 3.70 | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 63 | 6 | 0 | 5.63 | .833 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 338 | 141 | 130 | 45 | 19,028 | 1100 | 12 | 3.47 | .885 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 782 | 56 | 0 | 4.30 | .853 | ||||
See also
- Exsanguination
- Richard Zedník, hockey player who had a neck artery severed in an in-game accident in 2008
- Adam Johnson, hockey player who died from a similar in-game accident in 2023
