NHL Player Beats Brain Blood Clot, Returns to Hockey at 22

Jiri Kulich was 21 and in peak physical condition when something went terribly wrong. The Buffalo Sabres forward couldn't shake the dizziness, fatigue, and fuzzy memory that made him feel disconnected from reality.

During a November 2025 game against Washington, Kulich took one shift in the third period and accidentally left the puck in front of his own net. "I didn't even know I'm on the ice. I actually felt like a ghost," he remembered.

A CT scan revealed the shocking truth: a blood clot, incredibly rare for someone his age. Doctors traced it back to a March hit during a game against Vegas that had sent him into concussion protocol, later worsened during summer training.

For a professional athlete whose body is his livelihood, the diagnosis was terrifying. "Your thoughts are always the worst," Kulich said. "At some point, I was like, well, if I'm not gonna be able to play hockey, what am I gonna do?"

His parents flew in from the Czech Republic immediately. His girlfriend Gabrielle and the entire Sabres organization rallied around him. But the recovery ahead would test his patience in ways hockey never had.

Blood thinners meant no contact sports and constant monitoring. In the gym, strength coach Ray Magliozzi guided him through basic squats without weights. On the ice, skills instructor Mike Ansell kept spirits high with crossbar challenges during careful, non-contact skating sessions.

Athletic trainer Michael Adesso became his daily check-in, monitoring symptoms and medication. "I call him my Czech son," the 66-year-old joked, treating tough days with the patience of a parent.

While his teammates battled toward the playoffs, Kulich faced a different fight. He hated gaining weight during those stagnant months. At home, video games provided distraction, but the mental battle was harder than any physical injury.

Why This Inspires

Kulich's story reminds us that setbacks don't define our future. While most blood clot patients take months of blood thinners by default, his medical team worked tirelessly to accelerate his timeline safely. Their careful attention paid off.

A March procedure removed the clot completely. After several months of training, the talented 22-year-old is now fully cleared, back in playing shape, and ready for training camp.

The young man who once feared working construction for his dad has emerged with new perspective. "I'm still a kid, but at the same time, I grew from a kid to a man," Kulich reflected. "My thoughts are way different than they were last year. My confidence, too."

The Sabres still see top-line potential in their young forward, and he's ready to prove them right. "I've never felt better," Kulich said, a statement that means more than just hockey shape after facing down a life-threatening diagnosis.