AT H L E T E W I T H I M PAC T
A CHAMPION ON AND OFF THE ICE
Kelly Hrudey stopped more than 20,000 pucks during his NHL career. Now as a mental health advocate he is stopping the stigma. BY TY PILSON TRUDIE LEE Director of Digital Content and Social Media for Calgary Sports and Entertainment in Calgary, AB. TYPILSON
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hen Kelly Hrudey retired after 17 years in the NHL, he stayed front and centre in the limelight, becoming a fixture on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada intermission panels, and working as a TV colour analyst. His profile and high visibility have given him a platform more powerful than hockey, and as a champion for Anxiety Canada he is an outspoken advocate for mental health.
78 I Inspiration Issue I IMPACT MAGAZINE
Late last year, the 60-year-old Hrudey talked candidly and honestly about his mental health struggles with fellow hockey commentator Gord Stellick on a nationally syndicated radio broadcast. The conversation led to a groundswell of support on social media and, perhaps most importantly, revived an ongoing discussion about mental health in the Twitter hockey universe and beyond. Many people continue to be moved and motivated by Hrudey’s honesty on the subject.
Quite simply put: when a former professional athlete with his stature talks, people listen. It shines a bright light on a subject that is still often taboo, even today. “I know it does have an impact because I know when I go on the radio, or I put something on social media, I get direct interaction with people and they share their stories with me,” says Hrudey. “We’re all in this together and I feel the love and connection with people and so I think it’s very important we continue this
