Former NHL goaltender and author Clint Malarchuk will be one of the five recipients of honorary degrees from Nipissing University.
The honorary degrees will be handed out during the Nipissing University Convocation ceremonies taking place from June 7th to 9th.
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.
Others receiving the honorary degrees include: Cementation’s Roy Slack (who will be honoured on Friday, June 9th), Tom Jenkins, Chair of the Board of OpenText Corporation, Dr. Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, one of the founders of the Nipissing University nursing program, and Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, a founding member of the Ontario Native Women's Association.
“Convocation is a very special time of year at the university and especially for the graduates and their families," said Dr. Mike DeGagne, president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing University.
"We are honoured and thankful that these extraordinary people will help us to celebrate our graduating students. Their acceptance of our highest honour, an honorary degree, demonstrates understanding and support of Nipissing’s mission and the embracing of a connection with our institution. We look forward to celebrating with them during convocation and for many years to come.”
All North Bay convocation ceremonies will be held at the Robert J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre at Nipissing University.
