Hockey, Suicide and Suicide Prevention

Suicide continues to impact the international hockey community.

With the recent news reports of NHL player Luke Richardson’s daughter’s tragic death, Scotland Fife Flyers hockey ace Iain Bell’s death at age 20, and in the United States the 2009 death of Josh Strutz at age 19, we are reminded of the devastating affects of suicide within the international hockey community, especially among our youth. Recently NHL hockey players like Theo Fleury have spoken publicly about their own battles with depression and suicide. Below we have listed a number of hockey players who are reported to have died by self-inflicted injuries.

In Canada, suicide is a major social problem and an epidemic in our First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. We know that suicide is often under reported and for every death by suicide there may be as many as 10 or 12 attempts. We also know that for each death by suicide there are 10 or 12 family members or close friends who are profoundly affected along with the players on the teams and community. The impact of suicide is far-reaching in the hockey community.

NOTE: In addition to other international resources the International Association for Suicide Prevention posts a site for anyone wanting to find an crisis lines at: Crisis Lines

The hockey community responds and rallies around the cause of suicide prevention.

We are compiling a list of how the hockey community has responded. If you know of other examples please let us know in the comments. Thanks

Examples to date:

In 1987, Jeff Beukeboom an Edmonton Oiler of the NHL, lost a brother to suicide. Jeff then became spokesman for Alberta Suicide Awareness Week in 1989, the first ever Canadian province-wide suicide prevention public awareness campaign. Read more..

In 2007, “On the third day of the forum, former NHL hockey player Gino Odjick, known as the “Algonquin Enforcer” during his professional hockey days, delivered an emotional presentation about his involvement with suicide prevention initiatives across Canada.” Read more... page 1 and 2

In an announcement from the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Right to Play Takes Program North. Right to Play, is an international humanitarian body operating in 23 countries, is bringing hockey to the Moose Cree First Nation, adjacent to the town of Moosonee, on the James Bay coast. There were 13 teen suicides in the community in 2009. Read more..

Hockey Day in Iqaluit: Don Cherry and Ron MacLean attended and supported an auction that raised $32,000 toward suicide prevention projects and minor hockey programs throughout the territory. Read more…

In the United States the American Association for Suicide Prevention sponsors Out of the Darkness Walks partnering with the Josh Strutz Hockey is Life Fund. Josh was born February 14, 1990 and died Decevmber 19, 2009. He was an avid hockey player with the DePaul University hockey club. Read more....

Jeff and Russ Courtnall, professional hockey players with the National Hockey League lost their father to suicide. The Courtnall family has raised funds for suicide and depression treatment including a treatment centre named after their father Archie Courtnall. They have won an award from the Canadian Mental Health Association for their work. See a video tribute

There are many other examples we are gathering including the work of Ted Nolan and Jonathon Cheechoo.

Here is the list of international professional ice hockey players reported to have died from suicide.

Richard Blight (October 17, 1955 - April3, 2005) a professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League..
Evegeny Vladimirovich Belosheikin (April 17, 1966 - November 18, 1999) was a professional hockey
player who played in the Soviet Hockey League.
Yevgeny Makarovich Babich (January 7, 1921 - June 11, 1972) was a hockey player in the Soviet hockeu League.
Mrak R. Green ( December 26, 1967 - October 2004) was a retired professional hockey player who played 10 seasons in vaious North American leagues.
Roman Lyashenko ( May 1, 1979 - July 6, 2003) was a Russin hockey player who played in the National Hockey league.
Dusan Pasek ( September 7, 1960 - March 15, 1998) was a Czechoslovakian professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League.
Marc Potivn ( January 29, 1967 - January 13, 2006) was a Canadian professional hockey player in the National Hockey league. He was a cousin of Denis Potvin and Jean Potvin.
Veikko Suominen ( May 5, 1948 - December 21, 1978) Was a Finnish hockey player who played in the SM-liiga for Upon Pallo, Kiekko and for Ilves.
Terrence Tootoo ( 980- 2002) 22 year old Terrance was the first Inuit player to play professional hockey.

Authors note: Another of Just Group's community development projects is the recent completion of a suicide prevention history project in Canada. It was in this research that we came across Jeff Beukeboom's role in Suicide Awarenss Week. To view this project, visit: http://www.suicidepreventionhistory.com/

OTHER POSTS ON THE SUBJECT:

Wade Belak's Tragic Death: Enough Already NHL- IT IS TIME!

Rick Rypien: Another Tragic Death in the Hockey Community