Ian White's Road from NHL Stardom to Redemption: A Candid Chat with Brady Leavold
To me, the toughest part of getting sober is the sleep. The next night I had two daydreams and then just progressively get a little bit of sleep, a little bit of sleep, but to me, that's the toughest part of getting sober.
Picture this: you’re at the top of your game, playing in the NHL, and then life takes a sharp turn. In this episode of 'Hockey 2 Hell and Back', Brady Leavold sits down with his former teammate Ian White to talk about the highs and lows of their hockey careers and their battles with addiction.
Ian White, who played over 500 games in the NHL for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, opens up about his journey from stardom to struggling with personal demons. Brady and Ian reminisce about their days with the Swift Current Broncos, where their paths first crossed, and how those early experiences shaped their lives. They don't shy away from discussing the dark times—addiction, homelessness, and the fight to get sober.
This episode is raw and real, highlighting the importance of honesty, support, and hard work in overcoming life's toughest challenges. They also touch on the role of organizations like Puck Support in helping athletes and others battling similar issues. If you're looking for a story of resilience and redemption, this conversation between Brady and Ian is a must-listen.