takes guts to admit you have a problem. glad he's better now!

I think a lot of us can relate to this and his struggles. Stay strong folks.

Ryan Getzlaf is a true captain. Takes care of his teammates on and off the ice. Glad you're doing better nate, loved having you on the ducks.

:( I didn't know Thompson was struggling. I loved him when he played for the lightning.

"I didn't really wanna die but I really didn't wanna live" shows how much of a battle addiction or depression can be

Just seen it live, this is heartbreaking. Hope your alright Nate.

Thank you Nate for sharing your story. Hits home.

He has a angel of a wife for not leaving his ass in a time of need.

This is a big deal. It’s really hard for a lot of athletes to admit they have an issue. He’s doing a real service to the sport - to sports in general. We’re all human, we all struggle, even pro athletes. Good for you, man!

Stay healthy Nate, and thanks for sharing to encourage others to get help. You are a good man.

Good for you Nate. You’re a good guy. Played with you in a charity golf tournament in St. John’s. We gave you a ride to the airport late night/early morning so you didn’t miss your flight. You were a really nice guy and a gentleman. Class act. Good for you for sharing this. Good luck to you and your loving wife. Don’t dwell in the past. You’ve got the rest of your life to look forward to.

Utmost respect for this man it’s very inspiring to see as I myself have been struggling with addiction, it will get better

As a ducks fan this was heartbreaking to see, never knew he was struggling and fighting these demons. We miss you in Anaheim nate! Glad your having success in Montreal

So happy for him to be off of it he seems like a great person

Thanks for sharing, Nate. Stay strong.

What a beauty. I imagine he hurt some folks along the way. That was the addiction. This is super courageous....putting something so personal out there. You want to be held accountable because you are committed to your sobriety. Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration to many. Stay strong.

Much respect for someone is his position to go through all this. Top it off by sharing his story.

It takes real courage to do something like this. Hang in there and never give up. I'm praying for you and your family.

Thanks for sharing Nate 🙏. Wishing you all the best

Respect to a really tough guy on the ice, and even more tougher off it. Glad you got the help, this will be a tough road ahead but i know you will be ok, you got alot of support around you and people that care and love you.

Watching this past 5 years sober. Congrats on that and good on opening up and getting help. Addiction is a long process and Ik many people that have gone through it and they tell me it’s not easy by any means. Keep up the good work on and off the ice tho man!

Ryan Getzlaf, elite

Awesome Nate. You’re an inspiration to so many people. The new way of life is better for people like us.

Nate. I've met you a bunch of times in Anaheim. We had a few conversations. You put up a lot of work here. Especially in playoffs. Heart on your sleeve. I cherish the memories as well as my wife in the wheelchair and both daughters too. God bless! Hope to see you again some day!

I'm a Habs fan, I'm a addict and I respect this man. Get help of you need it. Try your best. You can have a second chance that many people I know, don't have any more chances. People want to help you too, whether you think so or not. I'm recovering from heroin and coke and basically anything you can think of. Superstars have more of an impact than they realize. Thank you nate.

Great Alaskan hockey player. Hadn’t heard Nate had these problems super happy he reached out and got help. With you Nate.

Right on Nate. The struggle is real for many of us. The fact you can turn it around and count your blessings and be humble is what its about

Thank you Nate for this. Helps a lot of people including me.

And the super sad part of all of this is the fact many athletes in all the major sports have similar stories like this to share, but most are to afraid to speak it into existence. And that is a shame because like Nate said "He was killing himself" I hope more athletes seek help and know its okay to voice your struggles. It helps to talk your problems out and get the help you need.

So proud of you Nate! That takes alot of strength and courage

Awesome interview.. Unreal the demons he battled to get to where he is. Love ya thompsy

Nate, jus came across this and I hope you are still doing well. I celebrated 38 years sober last month. The bottle does not care who or what you are, it has no conscience. Physical compulsion coupled with a mental obsession, that's you & me, NT; Wishing you & yours nothing but the best;

It's a HUGE step for anyone to come out like this and admit he had a problem. I hope Nate is still doing ok these days and I wish him all the best in his sobriety.

Thanks for sharing Nate.

That's the thing is you never know who is suffering from an addiction. What people don't realize as well is that addicts can be very good at hiding their problems. People can be extremely high functioning addicts and no one would know because they can hold down a decent job, support a family and such. At the same time no one may know that they are going through an addiction which may kill them. Good on Nate for opening up!

I looked up this man since he got traded to the flyers, hoping to find a highlight video. This was the first thing to come up, most interesting first impression I've ever had from someone

Good for you Nate Thompson. I love a good redemption story.

Hugh Respekt Mrs and Mr Thompson !! All the luck of the world ! Be strong 💪🏻. Also Respekt to Getzi what a outstanding C he is !!

This is deep. honestly believe this will resonate with people and hopefully even help them

Stay strong Nate. We all want you to succeed.

Loved him on the bolts and rn on the habs he’s a good guy

Bruins fan wishing you continued health and happiness.

Damn. Tough to watch. Glad you got help. Keep it clean Nate.

Respect to real honest man keep it up

Looking good Nate. Great job. Stay strong.

Chasing the dragon! It kills ya slowly on the inside! Good for you Nate, your controlling your addiction and the demons! Your a professional hockey player for the HABS ! Your a good person and a hero in my books Nate. Lots of us never admit we have a problem but you grabbed the bull by the horns and your winning the fight. Enjoy life Nate, you got a lot to live for and a wife who supports you! I have none of that, I played in the Q (QMJHL) and my dreams were crushed when I blew out my knee and it’s never been the same! I fight my demons as well and a hope I can just be strong like you! Thanks for speaking out and I sincerely wish you and your wife happiness,cause we have nothing without it. Now go represent my hometown HABS and get in the playoffs! Trust me when I say you won’t regret it! GO HABS GO🏒🇨🇦

He did play in Ottawa. Bobby Ryan is trying to get off the same stuff right now.

Struggling with alcohol myself. Can relate to alot of what you say Nate. Stay strong man, best of luck in life and hockey.

He was only on the flyers for a short time but he played his ass off for the orange and black so ill be a fan. Great to hear hes straightened out

It takes a real person. to admitt they have a problem. His wife really loves him ,for the support she gave him, which is very lucky that his wife was there.

Watching rn

Glad dudes are out getting help like he and other players are

I think most men in general have a hard time opening up and especially professional athletes, not just for there own sake but the damage it could potentially do on there career, or to be judged by there peers. But honestly, the best thing you can do is be open and true to yourself and reflect on what you're doing to yourself. Takes a lot to finally make that call, or get on your own two feet and get the help you need to live a healthier, happier life. You feel so stuck sometimes where you think no matter what you do, it's not going to be beneficial or you can't see that light at the end of the tunnel, but it's a matter of life or death in some situations.. It's do you want to live and be better, or do you want to hurt yourself, others around you and potentially die. There is more to life than money/drugs/sex/gambling and all these addictions that some of us go through or have gone through. We all have addictions to certain things, but it's a serious problem when you can't control it. Most things are okay in moderation, but some people can't do it in moderation. Like his wife said, one or two drinks turned into a few bottles, some people that's how it is when they drink, and they personally can not drink any more or the consequences can be fatal. Good on him for getting the help, putting in the effort to change in his life around for himself and his family and hope he stays down the path to fulfilling life. You aren't alone! Good for you Nate!

Thanks Nate.

So happy he’s better now

So glad he got help!

That’s how you walk the walk

My father battled addiction for a long time and then got sober with rehab and stayed sober with AA. It works folks and don't worry. You go to AA because those people understand nearly all of it. They aren't controlling spouses. They aren't people you can play games with either. You can't bs them but they are also kindred spirits that want to help. Part of addiction is the loneliness and the substance becomes the only warm friend. But AA man.. everybody wants to go where everybody knows your name. My dad never got mean or belligerent when drunk. It typically just made him an extreme introvert because of the shame and slept a lot because he was tired from staying up so late drinking by himself. That's it. That's all it takes for it to run your life into the ground. Go to AA. It works and it helps and some of the most magical people I have ever met in my life are the people that my dad met through AA. Something about people that suffer from addiction. They operate on a different spiritual plane where money and tangibles and simple comforts aren't enough. I don't know what comes first, the spiritual plane or the life lessons of addiction, but when people climb out of the depths of addiction, I can't find the words that can do justice to describe the magical soul that emerges. They are unique people. There is shame in addiction for obvious reasons and there should be. But the humility and courage it takes to admit the shame is one of the most admirable things I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Keep up the faith. best of luck...……… stay sober for your family...…….. God bless the wife...….. she stuck with him.

Respect

Inspirational

Respect

Nate is a good guy. Made it but wasn’t a star. He struggled with not being the go to guy. Got into the party life and couldn’t turn back. Glad he got help. Take care of yourself buddy.

Maybe that’s why he’s missing on so many 2 on 1s 😂 seriously tho I love Nate gj cleaning his addiction

Its tru this world has a drug addiction problem We need help God help us Puma

Nate seems like a real stand up guy.

BRAVE: I'm a fan Nate

❤️

Ryan getzlaf is top class

✝️🙏❤️

It takes a lot of guts to admit something as painful as not wanting to see your son bc you were so ashamed of yourself.

Reminds me of myself, minus the cocaine

Drugs will destroy your health

Oh boy

Welcome to winnipeg.

Canadiens Blueliner?????

The NHLPA doesn't seem to have an effective assistance program in place for active players, only a punitive program for offenders. The league has a random drug testing plan, but it 's not working. Thompson's case is common.

Drugs kill

He has millions of dollars and still has difficulty and unhappiness in his life. Crazy.

so hard especially when you got money.

God Bless you Nate. Jesus is the way the truth and the life .

You have too admitted first! That's the biggest step

Ben Solos older brother

Shows you that rich people still face issues. Life is never perfect...

I don’t think you should feel ashamed for this at all. Just get help if you want/need

I dont know how its possibble to be succesfull player being addictded to drugs and alcohol at the same time.

CH character

Every NHL guy has a smoking hot wife

Hell im sure a lot players are high or drunk when they play

I’m high right now

Don’t do drugs. Except for weed that’s a chill time. And mushrooms is a great experience.. LSD is fun too. Molly occasionally. Alcohol doesn’t count as a drug so that’s fine.

MY EX WIFE TOLD ME I HAD a drinking problem I TOLD HER I can drink no problem AH AH

I’m dropping him from my fantasy team. Too many character issues which could effect the younger players on my team.

"i practice high" - Ain't nothing wrong w that!

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

She put up with it for the money

What???? Weed isn’t a drug anymore. It’s a special medicine that cures everything.

Once you do drugs it will destroy your relantionship with your girlfriend or your favorite dreams

Who else taught this was Nathan Thompson the flat earther

Sportsnet has awesome victimhood programs.