No job in the world of sports is as intimidating, exhilarating, and as stress- ridden as that of an NHL hockey goaltender. Now imagine doing that job while suffering high anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression, and having your career nearly literally cut short by a skate slicing across your neck. Clint Malarchuk shares his extraordinary and heart-wrenching life story—which includes his long battle with alcoholism and almost ending his life by a gunshot to the head—in his relentless effort to help end the stigma of mental illness and to help others who may suffer as well.

Malarchuk, who was born in Grand Prairie, Alberta, and raised in Edmonton, played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. He went on to play professionally in the NHL for the Quebec Nordiques, the Washington Capitals, and the Buffalo Sabres, and in the IHL for the Las Vegas Thunder. He compiled a career record of 141 wins, 130 losses, 45 ties, 12 shutouts, and an .885 save percentage.

After leaving the NHL as a player, he served as head coach of the IHL Las Vegas Thunder and the Idaho Steelheads. He was then a goaltending coach for the NHL Florida Panthers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He became the goaltending consultant for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010, going from there to the Calgary Flames, and retiring from the team in 2014. His memoir, A Matter of Inches: How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond, US Title / The Crazy Game; How I survived in the Crease and Beyond; was published in 2014.