NSB Logo Corey Hirsch Corey Hirsch

Corey Hirsch

Speaker

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Former NHL Goaltender, Olympic Silver Medalist, Mental Health & Wellness Advocate

Former NHL goaltender, NHL goaltending coach, and Olympic silver Medalist, Corey Hirsch was one of the first professional athletes to talk openly about mental health. He wrote about his OCD in an article for The Players’ Tribune, which remains one of their most-read articles ever. Dedicated to ending the stigma of mental health, Corey is an engaging and passionate public speaker with a conviction to expand awareness and acceptance for those suffering from mental illness.

Keynote Speeches

The Save of My Life: My Journey Out of the Dark

By the time he was twenty-two years old, goaltender Corey Hirsch had realized his childhood dream of playing in the NHL, won an Olympic medal and drunk from the Stanley Cup. While he excelled on the ice, out of the net Hirsch was plagued by persistent dark thoughts and ceaseless anxiety. On days when he could barely get out of bed, he was able to push aside the endless loop of dark thoughts running inside his brain long enough to win a game. But as soon as he got back home, the agonizing cycle started all over again. And it continued, until finally he was able to confide in a team trainer who helped him get the professional treatment he needed.

In this keynote based on his best selling novel, Hirsch shares his journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder and the rocky road to recovery. As Hirsch says, “I am not insane. I am not a bad person. I am not weak. I have an illness, and there is a treatment.”

Mental Health: You Are Not Alone

When Corey Hirsch went public with his story about struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, he was was terrified that people wouldn’t understand. He was worried that no one would want to hire him ever again, and that doors would close — and maybe worst of all, that people in the hockey community would look at him like he was damaged goods, that he would never work in hockey again.

After his story went out into the world, well … his fears couldn’t have been further from reality. Hirsch was absolutely blown away by how many people reached out through text and email and Twitter to say that they’d struggled with similar thoughts and feelings for years. 

There’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. We’re all just trying to get through the day. So let’s be open. Let’s talk about it.

Key Takeaways:

  • It’s OK to talk about depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts
  • Getting proper help is everything
  • How to create an environment where it’s more than OK for athletes – or anyone – to talk about mental health issues
Motivation & Inspiration: You Can Do This

When Corey’s mental health was at it’s worst he would spend days in bed, telling himself that if he ever got through this he would share his story. He would search for any form of hope, anything he could hang his hat on that he wouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life like this. In bed, struggling with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

Now he’s here to help others who are experiencing the same struggle.  It took a lot of work to get where he is, and there were some very hard days. Through all that darkness, through all that pain, he came out on the other side, and you will too. 

Key Takeaways:

  • How to keep going, even when you’re discouraged 
  • How to find hope and hold onto it
  • How to work through the hard days to come out the other side

Audience reviews:

  • Corey is everything this world needs to see that there is hope and healing in mental illness. His talk was poignant, gripping, and left the audience with real steps to seek help and ways to help others. His talk is a must for any business, organization, or group. He's blasting through the stigma of mental illness and shining a light in the darkest places for healing. - CEO, Goetz Communications
  • Corey is a powerful and compelling speaker. His message is educational, motivating, strong, and captivating. As a mental health advocate, broadcaster, and National Hockey League player, the obstacles Corey has overcome are remarkable. He is determined to end the stigma. - General Manager, Canadian Olympic National Men's Hockey Team
  • Through his story and motivation, Corey Hirsch changes lives. His message is an asset to any organization as he has opened the floodgates in ending the stigma of mental health. - Pro Scout, Nashville Predators
  • When Corey speaks, it comes from the heart. Corey has a tremendous drive to spread the word on mental health and works tirelessly to make the world a better place. - NHL Player
  • I lost count of the number of people who told me his talk was interesting/valuable/great etc. etc. Many people said they “needed to hear it.” At our Gala Dinner, the emcee did a quick recap of the day and when he said Corey’s name, everyone started clapping and at a significant number of people stood up to show how much they loved the talk. Finally, in a survey, 87% of respondents said that Corey’s talk was valuable to them and the lunch was the highest rated event at the conference. Many thanks for providing us with such a high quality presentation and for sharing your personal story. - Director, Communications and Marketing, BC Poultry Association

Speaker Biography

A former NHL goaltender, NHL goaltending coach, and Olympic silver Medalist, Corey Hirsch was featured in an article in the Players Tribune opening up about his struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while on the rise to a promising career in the NHL.

Now, Corey speaks to all age groups and dynamics, both male and female. From corporations, to sports groups, to High schools, Corey speaks on numerous topics including mental health, and motivation. Corey will not only speak on his personal story, but through his personal experience he will give numerous takeaways in order to improve your own personal and employees mental health.

Corey also helped to create and put together the program CAMH Gamechangers, geared to get mental health info into the hands of our youth. His story of struggle and perseverance reaches listeners on a personal level and changes lives.

Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Corey was drafted in 1991 by the New York Rangers. He spent three years of his early career with New York where he was an active roster member when the team won the 1994 Stanley Cup. In April of 1995 he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks where he played the majority of of his NHL games all while hiding and battling a mental health problem.

After retiring from active play, Hirsch became an NHL goaltending coach for elite NHL goaltenders and prospects for another six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and St Louis Blues. Corey has since transitioned from NHL coach to broadcaster where he most recently worked for Sportsnet650 as the radio color analyst covering the Vancouver Canucks. Hirsch has since dedicated his life to becoming. Mental health and wellness advocate. He is the ambassador for ICBA health and Wellness, as well as Co-Host of the Webby Award Nominated Podcast Blindsided with The Players Tribune.