Former Edmonton Oilers player opens up about the mental struggles that forced him out of the NHL
Photo credit: NHL
The topic of mental health is often a touchy subject in pro sports, but former Edmonton Oilers defenceman Slater Koekkoek is doing what he can to kill the stigma.
Recently on a segment of the Jason Gregor Show Podcast, Slater Koekkoek made an appearance to discuss some of the struggles he faced as a pro athlete, particularly dealing with anxiety.
During the segment, Slater Koekkoek dove deep into his struggles, stating that his crippling anxiety lead to a lack of eating, weight loss, and isolation as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.
The Former Edmonton Oilers blue-liner also shared how his teammates would tease him for not eating, revealing that he often had to play in crucial games on an empty stomach because he couldn't keep anything down.
His anxiety ultimately lead him to losing so much weight, he struggled to maintain the necessary physique to remain competitive as a pro athlete.
Slater Koekkoek's anxiety lead to his life spiralling out of control, forcing him to retire from the game of hockey due to the pressures of performance and stress.
According to Ryan Hall of Oilers Daily, Koekkoek was drafted in 2012 by the Tampa Bay Lightning as he had a nine-year career in the NHL. He had stops in Chicago, and with the Oilers in 2021-22. He played 186 games, scoring 8 goals with 26 assists for 34 points and was a +1 and 104 penalty minutes.
Since leaving hockey, Koekkoek has made it a goal to help spread the knowledge of anxiety in hockey and pro sports to help other athletes deal with the illness.
Since leaving hockey, Koekkoek has made it a goal to help spread the knowledge of anxiety in hockey and pro sports to help other athletes deal with the illness.
Slater Koekkoek's tale is designed to dismantle the stigma of mental health concerning pro athletes.
He urges everyone to be kind to one another, as you never really know what someone might be going through.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 193 ANSWERS Former Edmonton Oilers player opens up about the mental struggles that forced him out of the NHL Do you remember Slater Koekkoek playing for the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 103 | 53.4 % |
| No | 90 | 46.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
