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Grantland 30 for 30 Shorts: Cutthroat

Grantland have done an excellent job broadening the horizons of sports (and not-so-sports) journalism since their inception. Their latest documentary in the ’30 for 30′ series features a film from award-winning director Steven Cantor, with ties to the Buffalo Sabres.

‘Cutthroat’ is a moving and poignant account of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk, recounting with graphic detail his life-threatening injury that spouted blood all over the ice at The Aud, and his long and grueling recovery from that. The goalie had his carotid artery severed on March 22, 1989 but eventually returned to playing again though his performances went into a decline after that. He returned to the game via the International Hockey League, before retiring and turning to coaching. Malarchuk has since held various goaltending coach positions, most recently with the Calgary Flames last season.

This is well worth the view, and kudos to Grantland for this fantastic piece of journalism again. However, we must advise (as does the video) that this short contains some graphic footage Still, it’s very well worth the unpleasantness.

Here is a bio of Malarchuk, courtesy of ESPN.com

Clint Malarchuk was known as the “Cowboy Goalie.” He grew up riding horses but suffered from severe childhood OCD, which he believes helped him focus on his hockey training. During a game against the St. Louis Blues, an opposing player’s skate blade severed Malarchuk’s carotid artery, causing one of the most shocking scenes to ever take place in a hockey rink. From award-winning director Steven Cantor, Cutthroat chronicles Malarchuk’s injury, his remarkable two-week physical recovery and his grueling emotional and mental journey, which spans twenty years and included a six-month stay in a mental hospital for long overdue PTSD treatment.