With the Stanley Cup and Vezina still in his view, Robin Lehner’s greatest successes come off the ice

Note: A number of fans shared personal stories about their mental health on the condition of anonymity. Dozens shared their experiences, each as impactful as the next, which alone is a testament to how inspirational Robin Lehner has been. I encourage everyone to read each story to get the full scope of the influence of Lehner’s story.

Robin Lehner is in the midst of arguably the most successful season an Islanders goaltender has ever had. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie set the Islanders franchise record for single-season save percentage (.930), co-won the Jennings Trophy, earned nominations for the Masterton and the Vezina, and helped lead his team to a postseason berth and a dominant sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And yet in many ways, all of these are secondary achievements for Lehner. After opening up over the summer about his struggles with mental health and addiction, Lehner spent this season sober and directly in the spotlight. He had spent eight years in the league struggling with his personal demons but when he joined the Islanders he let them out into the open. Since his emotional column for The Athletic in September, Lehner hasn’t shied away from questions about his sobriety or mental health, two things athletes rarely speak up about.

Each night Lehner takes the ice, he helps carry the team of 18 skaters in front of him to victory. Add in the rest of the roster, the front office, and the coaching staff, and Lehner’s on-ice performances have given a boost to a few dozen people within the organization.

But that pales in comparison to the hundreds, if not thousands, that Lehner’s personal story has impacted.

“For YEARS I’ve dealt with epilepsy, since I was 16 to be specific. That’s all fine and all until I tried dealing with everything going on in my life and taking it personally like something that was wrong with me,” Islanders fan Tom Horne said. “Back in October of last year, I was dealing with depressive states (won’t call it depression as I wasn’t diagnosed) due to the sheer amount of stress in my life. Again I blamed myself and thought it was all my fault. I read Robin’s story the day it came out and it gave me hope. It showed that mental health is extremely important and it’s okay to not be okay. While I never sought professional help I started to reach out to the few friends I do have and to talk things out, and knowing that people are there for you makes all the difference. The feeling of being secure isn’t all there by myself, but I know I have security and people to fall back on thanks to Lehner.”

Horne was one of nearly 50 Islanders fans who responded within a few hours to a tweet I posted asking people to share how Lehner has impacted their lives. Every story was unique and emotional, but the common thread was how Lehner’s perseverance and attitude served as an inspiration to others struggling with their mental health or substance abuse.

“Huge Isles fan. Also an alcoholic who has given away a lot in my life. Wife, kids, and family. 75 days sober. Trying hard to live day by day and get my life back,” one fan said. “Luckily my kids are really young and they’ll never know that their dad had affected them with the disease if I stay in my lane and live one day at a time. I am very happy for Robin. His perseverance shows that anything is possible for addicts if you get help and stay in the present. Robin is awesome and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Lehner is not the first professional athlete to deal with these kinds of issues, and he certainly will not be the last. What has made Lehner stand out is how vocal he’s been about how getting healthy has turned around his personal life and playing career. Too often addiction and mental health concerns derail players’ careers or are kept under wraps until they’re out of the league. Every night he skates out in blue and orange, Lehner is a prominent example of living with and overcoming these diseases.

“My family has been afflicted with mental illness and to see a professional athlete be so open about things is refreshing,” another fan said. “There’s an unfair stigma that’s put on having mental health issues and they’re not treated as urgently as physical issues are. Robin Lehner is opening that door for all who don’t have a voice or who are afraid to speak up.”

Hockey players, in particular, take pride in being some of the toughest athletes in the world. Gregory Campbell finished a shift with a broken leg, Rich Peverley’s heart stopped on the bench and he asked to finish the game, the lore is endless. With that came the inflation of “tough and strong”. Fighting through a gruesome physical injury makes you tough, but as anyone who has struggled with mental health knows, it can often be seen as a weakness.

“I’ve admired his openness regarding his mental health problems as I learned about them when he started to get more ice time late last year — I’ve only been following the Isles since Nov. 18 when I watched them play at the Barc on vacation—and loved the Lehner/fans interaction coming to light over the regular season,” one fan said. “I’ve been off and on with my own depression/anxiety deal for a few years and I always value when people in the public spotlight remind us they’re not perfect either. He has inspired me to be more open about mental health problems with people around me. He dropped that #SickNotWeak tweet the day they swept the Pens and I thought ‘Yep. That’s my goalie’ and ordered his jersey.”

“I also struggle with bipolar disorder and bouts of manic depression, and the thing I respect most about Robin is how open he is regarding his mental health. I loved hearing him suggest that the Isles have been approaching his mental well-being the same way they’d approach the treatment of a player’s physical impairment because the two are really one and the same, and aren’t equated in that manner often enough,” another said. “It’s also been so cool to hear him speak honestly about having bad days here and there. There can be a lot of feelings of hopelessness and despondency that come along with depression and bipolar disorder, and I think it’s really wonderful that Robin is proving that it’s not only possible to survive with mental illness, but it’s also possible to thrive and achieve one’s dreams at an outrageously high level despite it. Representation is super important and he’s in a position with a lot of visibility to it. I’m glad he’s helping to lead a discourse on the topic in a really positive and proactive manner. He’s helped to inspire a LOT of people who are struggling through similar circumstances, and that transcends and resonates far beyond just the sport itself.”

In the wake of the deaths of former NHLers Rick Rypien, Wade Belak and Derek Boogaard in 2011, mental health awareness around the league increased but was still lacking. The annual #BellLetsTalk initiative has been another way players and the league have helped open the dialogue and end the stigma around mental health, but it resonates with fans to see someone actively battling issues that have impacted their own lives.

“Robin has been an inspiration to me this whole season. As someone who struggles with depression, anxiety and echoing suicidal thoughts, it really meant a lot to me (and I’m sure many others) that someone with his platform finally took the chance to speak of and shine a light on how important mental health is. No one is weak, just sick. And it should be treated just like any other disease in the world,” another fan told me. “While he’s been a light this whole season, it didn’t really hit me until two days ago when the Isles posted that video of him speaking about it. Personally, I’ve been going through a really rough patch this past week, and long story short ugly thoughts came back. That video was released at the perfect time for me. I’m not out of the dark, and I’m not preaching that he ‘saved me’ or whatever, but his words really made me stop and think, and gave me time to breathe. He possibly may have backed me off the ledge from doing something stupid that night. So maybe in a way he did, and even though he’ll never know it, I’ll be forever thankful for that.”

As that fan said, Lehner is not directly saving lives. What he has been able to do, however, is help people find the strength they already had to save themselves and overcome their own adversity.

“Lehner’s story helped inspire me to finally quit my dependence on alcohol back in December and seek treatment for my depression and anxiety. I’ve been sober since then and depression is very manageable and while I’m still working on the anxiety I’m not giving up. If he didn’t give up I’m not giving up,” a fan said.

Two themes were present in nearly every fan’s story: Lehner either helped them feel represented and accepted in their own struggle with mental illness, or he encouraged and inspired them to open up or seek some form of help for themselves.

“I volunteer at a suicide hotline and deal with individuals with depression, BPD and substance abuse issues on a semi-regular basis. The thing that’s most inspiring to me about what Lehner’s doing is that it’s helping so many people that wouldn’t normally hear about or talk about this issue open up,” one fan told me. “Not only is it creating awareness but it’s doing so for a group of people that statistically does not open up often.”

“Watching someone be open about their mental health struggles was super important for me as someone who’s had her own struggles with all that,” a fan said. “A lot of the time it feels like you have to be quiet about mental health and that’s really difficult so to see someone have the strength to be visible in such a way is inspiring in a way I really can’t explain.”

Another fan added: “I am a college freshman and I had my first experience with awful anxiety. Seeing Robin every night play like the best goalie in the league was beyond inspiring. I sought help just like him and I’m doing so well now and he continues to be an inspiration for me and a friend of mine who also deals with terrible anxiety. My friend is a huge hockey fan but wasn’t an Islander fan until learning about Lehner.”

It’s impossible to know exactly how many lives Lehner has touched this season but it’s clear that he’s made an impact not just among Islanders fans, but league-wide as well. Certain players and events have the ability to transcend the sport, and Lehner has certainly approached that status.

“I suffer from mental illnesses myself and even as a Rangers fan, it’s so hard to root against Lehner. I also had a family member pass away from a drug overdose, so I’m inspired by and proud of Lehner for overcoming his alcohol addiction,” a fan told me. “I have dreams of becoming a famous musical entertainer and seeing how Lehner was able to get the help he needed and also help himself as a role model to young kids not only inspires me to help myself, but he inspires me to inspire people if I become a big name and am looked up to by many. I really think Lehner deserves to win the Masterton trophy and hope he is able to enjoy the rest of his life with his family and teammates.”

Robin Lehner still has a lot ahead of him this season: a potential Stanley Cup run, the NHL Awards where he’ll be taking home hardware, and the potential for a sizable contract in July. It’s nearly impossible to overstate how remarkable his achievements on the ice have been this year, but the impact he’s had for fans who’ve looked up to him might be more impressive. Those who have met him in person, even in passing after games, know firsthand how inspiring he can be.

“After the JT game on Feb 28th, I went down to the ramp. Lehnny came out and took pictures and signed, etc. and I waited till everyone finished and then went to him and after our picture, I said to him how much of an inspiration he’s been to me on and off the ice, since I have bad anxiety, ADHD, and had depression. To see what he’s done and how he overcame everything was just so incredible,” one fan said. “He told me to hang in there and that it’ll get better and if I ever need help or someone to talk to then I shouldn’t be afraid or self-conscious to bring it up to someone, especially those close to me. He literally said ‘gimme a hug, pal’, and he went in for a hug which I thought was just incredible.”

Below are the stories of every other fan who reached out to share their experiences. I’d like to thank everyone who had the courage to speak up about their own struggles. It takes a lot of strength to talk about such personal, serious topics, and I think people’s willingness to share is another testament to some of the influence Lehner has had. The response I got from fans was overwhelming, and hearing each story truly inspired me.

Again, I hope you’ll read each one to get even a small sense of the impact Robin Lehner has had on countless lives. They’re listed in the order they were sent to me, and the order in no way represents one story being more important than the next. Each is moving and well worth reading, and they’re as powerful as a collection as they are alone.

Anonymous: I have a history of anxiety related to OCD. Recently I’ve developed an issue with panic attacks. Went to the hospital for one because it was so bad, and while I was there I pulled up Robin’s story to read it and feel like I wasn’t alone.

Anonymous: My wife suffers from severe depression and anxiety. People who have not seen what those diseases (and yes they are diseases) can do to a person simply cannot understand the struggle. While I can get out of bed in the morning because I know I have to, for my wife it can be an hours long struggle as she deals with the crippling anxiety of facing the day to come. What Lehner has meant to her and to me, is that these diseases are being recognized for what they are. He has brought this struggle to the public by putting himself out there in a way that is simply awe-inspiring. His WILL be the next jersey I buy because his name is now synonymous with being able to fight those demons. My wife is not the biggest sports fan, but she is now a HUGE Robin Lehner fan. We can never truly thank Lehner for what he has done for us, by making the world see that depression is a disease and not a weakness and that those struggling with it can overcome.

Anonymous: When I tell people I’m on medication for ADHD/Anxiety, I always get a response like “but you got good grades, you can’t have ADHD” or “you don’t act like you have anxiety.” Being a number 1 goalie in the NHL, most people would not guess that Lehner struggles with mental health issues. I think that’s why his story resonates so much with me because I know firsthand what it’s like to face the stigma and be afraid to open up to people. It’s empowering to know that someone as successful as he is also dealing with some of the same demons as I do and that sickness does not equate to weakness.

Anonymous: Been battling alcoholism and severe anxiety. His story was one of the influences to get me to get help and myself under control.

Kim Moisa: Lehner’s story touched my heart this off-season like so many others, but it wasn’t until recently he became a light in the dark for me and a symbol of perseverance and strength. After being diagnosed with Partial Complex Seizures I was scared, shocked, and embarrassed. I felt like a freak. I felt like a burden on my family who had to buy medication for me. I always feel nervous that I’ll have a seizure at any time. It’s when I looked to this team when Lehner’s story truly hit me. As I enjoyed a game in December and seeing Lehner in net, I remembered his article and his struggles. Here he was, sober, happy and playing a rough game with his chin up and no fear in his eyes. He’s on a national stage with everyone watching his every move.

For him to be able to overcome what he has and have the stress of media and performance, a student like me could overcome my fears and appreciate what life has given me. I look towards the positives in my life and have accepted the cards dealt my way. He made me see that my illness doesn’t make me less of who I am inside. The way he shows love for every human being and his family is unbelievable and he is that figure that makes you go, “If he can do it, so can I.” Battling with an illness you never asked for is tough enough, but with an illness that affects your brain and the way you act (my seizures and his bipolar depression) it makes you think you’re a freak of nature and just a burden in life. To see him overcome that helps me to overcome that. Although we’re not perfect human beings, I feel his illness has made him a stronger one. And I hope to be strong like him.

Val Vadino: My dad committed suicide in 2016 because of depression and anxiety. It’s been a tough few years for me but Robin has been such a blessing for people with these issues to see how they are not alone and someone is always there to help. He really is a blessing. Easily my favorite athlete for what he has done for me.

Christine H.: Everyone’s struggles are different, but I myself struggled with crippling panic attacks while at work and using unhealthy coping mechanisms that ultimately pushed me to get the help I needed via therapy, medication and forgiving myself. I was the worst version of myself that year, and it was noticed by my friends and family. Although I am far past that point now, hearing an influential voice with a platform to tell his story so candidly is huge, especially in the world of men’s sports where it’s pretty taboo. Mental health is so extraordinarily important- regardless of if you’re a man, a woman, a professional hockey player or an engineer struggling to handle her first job while being in grad school.

Anonymous: It’s very easy to feel alone when you’re going through mental health issues. I could have never done what he did and write that article and just lay yourself bare like that. What’s most inspiring to me as someone who has had similar struggles is that even though he should be on the top of the world based on his on-ice performance, he’s open that there’s still good and bad days and doesn’t try to sugarcoat what he’s going through. I don’t think a lot of athletes are genuinely good role models, but Lehner is the ultimate exception.

Anonymous: This January I was hospitalized with panic/anxiety attacks for the first time in my life. Scary experience considering I had never experienced anything like it before. I continued to struggle with anxiety and even developed mild depression following the hospital. Literally thought I was losing my mind for months, couldn’t even get out of bed. The main thing that got me through it was reading Robin’s article in the Athletic every day and watching Isles games. Finally decided to get on a low dose antidepressant and see a therapist. Made a huge difference! Now I’m back to myself and deal with very manageable anxiety.

The biggest thing that held me back was myself being ashamed to seek help. Robin helped me realize it’s a normal thing. Even got the chance to thank him after the game we clinched. He told me to keep fighting and gave me a hug. He's as genuine as they come.

Anonymous: Depression isn’t easy — especially when you refuse to take meds and like to drink… Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you. Seeing Lehner so open about his issues and doing so well in spite of them definitely gives me an extra boost on the darker days. You just can’t help but love the guy.

Anonymous: I deal with mental illness/depression and Lehner's story hits so close to home, the first time I read it crying couldn’t stop crying. I couldn't imagine being as courageous as Lehner to be able to share it with the world like that. Things get really tough and so many times I feel like I’ve reached my breaking point and I want to give up and when I do, I go back and read it and it reminds me that we’re not alone in this fight. “Keep the faith, the most amazing things in life tend to happen the moment you are about to give up hope.” He's my favorite player and a role model for me.

Timothy Ryder: The courage Robin Lehner exhibited when he made his struggles with mental illness and substance abuse public at the onset of the season resonated deeply with me. Having dealt with similar issues — on both accounts — for a sizable portion of my adult life, I can assure you that speaking up is no easy task. The daily grind of keeping your head up when everything — even you, yourself — implores you to keep it down takes its toll. When drugs or alcohol become a perceived life-line to whisk you away from those dark moments, the weakened psyche embraces that respite. Through my day-to-day ups and downs, having to look no further than Robin Lehner to gain some extra encouragement has been a welcome development. I couldn’t be more grateful to him for coming forward and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. Keep up the great work, Robin — on the ice and off.

Anonymous: I just wanted to say he has been an incredible inspiration to me since the second he released his personal story to the world. I am someone who struggles with depression and anxiety every day, to the point where sometimes I can’t even get myself to leave my room. But seeing what he has been able to do in such a short amount of time, from being at rock bottom to being on top of the world just a year later. He gives me so much hope and strength and every time he succeeds, I feel like it’s a win for everyone like us too. Having a player like that on my favorite team means so much to me, regardless of how he plays. That has just been the icing on top. Just thought I’d share, I hope he realizes how many people he’s truly helped!

I think mental health issues are something that people are afraid to talk about or even acknowledge. But when someone like him comes out and shares his whole story, it reminds the rest of us that anyone and many people indeed are out there struggling from things you have no idea about. And he tries so hard to get rid of the stigma that surrounds it, he proves every day you can beat your demons and have success if you admit to your problems and seek help. He was incredibly brave to do so and has made many others, myself included, feel like I can be brave too.

Anonymous: I’ve struggled with depression and bipolar since I was 12 years old, turning 24 in 3 weeks. I’ve been hospitalized a few times due to suicidal thoughts and it’s amazing to know that I’m not alone and someone on my favorite team has gone through it too. Not to mention I lost my uncle to cancer last week and he was as much of an Islander fan as me and my family. It’s been hard on all of us. So watching him perform the way he has helped us through this extremely difficult time.

Anonymous: Lehner is a favorite of mine. I suffered from major depression from about age 13 to 24 and still now at 38 have general anxiety which comes and goes. What I love most about Lehner, besides that he’s currently doing well personally, is his desire to help others. I’ve always wanted to help others, but I don’t really have a platform like Robin and opening up in my profession might hinder my options going forward.

Anonymous: I personally suffer/suffered from depression for the last two years and to see Robin overcome all the obstacles in his path is truly amazing. It’s really easier said than done because you really don’t know how bad depression effects you until you have it. He’s an inspiration and to see him succeed really warms my heart. He’s by far my favorite goalie in the league and probably will end up being my favorite athlete ever. I personally play a ton of sports including hockey (funny enough I play goalie) so when an obstacle presents itself in my career it’s nice to look at Robin’s story to help drive me to overcome and strive to be my best possible self.

Anonymous: I’ve had/have depression, anxiety, and OCD. Hearing Lehner's story made me feel more okay and at ease with my illnesses and it is okay to feel these things and to just live a day at a time.

Anonymous: I was thinking about Robin the other day and trying to imagine the strength it must have taken to spend your first year of sobriety in the spotlight, under the scrutiny that comes with being a professional athlete. I tried to imagine it but I really couldn’t.

I tried to imagine the strength it must have taken to publicly announce that you have a mental illness when mental illness is still met with mixed emotion. I tried to imagine it but I really couldn’t.

I tried to imagine the strength it must have taken to persevere when you search for a new job, have several interested parties, disclose that you just got out of rehab, and then watch all but two of those interested parties suddenly lose interest. I tried to imagine it but I couldn’t.

I have never, however, tried to imagine the strength it must take for Robin Lehner to be a hockey goalie because when he introduced himself to his new fan base through his letter in the Athletic he stopped being just a hockey goalie. His openness, his honesty, his truth and humility, his unimaginable strength has made him an inspiration. It has made him a source of strength for others. It has made him an example. It has made him someone that people hope to be. It has made him a hero, not for all of the shots that he saved on the ice but for all of the lives that he touched, for all the hope that he has given, for the strength to persevere when life seems like it’s just too hard. Robin Lehner has selflessly done more for people that he will never meet than any of us can imagine.