‘My life after hockey has been a living hell,’ former NHLer speaks up about head injuries

CALGARY, AB. (NEWS 1130) – Earlier this week a retired NHL defenceman came out with his tragic story involving head injuries, addiction and thoughts of suicide.

In the Player’s Tribune, Nick Boynton penned an honest and brutal piece about his days in the league and how he has been coping since hanging up his skates.

LISTEN: Nick Boynton speaks with our sister station in Calgary Sportsnet 960 The Fan

Boynton wants the league to better manage head injuries, noting the connection between mental illness and concussions.

At the beginning of the article he lists several names including former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien. All the players named were known for being enforcers and most of them took their own life, including Rypien.

In the article he also mentions coming forward to tell one of his former clubs about needing help with an addiction and that he was traded less than a month after that.

Boynton tells Sportsnet coming forward with his story has lifted a burden off his shoulders. “I feel really good and I’ll be completely honest with you, it’s been overwhelming in a very positive sense.”

Boynton, who won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, says the feedback he has been getting from people since the article was published has also helped. “People have been amazing and I’m glad I did it.”

He says going through something like rehab is a good step to get sober, but adds there are other problems, he feels, the league won’t address.

“I want treatment for my brain and that’s what we’re asking the NHL and the Players Union to do. There’s a problem. The science is out there and they’re denying science and that’s infuriating and it’s disgusting.”

The 39-year-old played in the league for 11 years and credits the Philadelphia Flyers organization for helping him come to terms with his addiction issues. A move, he feels likely saved his life.

~With files from Sonia Aslam