Top NHL Draft Prospect Opens up About Mental Struggles

As we get closer and closer to this summer's NHL Entry Draft, and people begin to familiarize themselves with all of the names, people try to learn more about the person, in addition to the player. Presumed top-three pick Leo Carlsson, his struggles haven't hampered his ability to excel in his age group.

Carlsson Opens up About His Stutter

Leo Carlsson has spoken with a stutter nearly his entire life, and while it may have affected his life outside of hockey, it never prevented him from dominating on the ice. The Swedish phenom has been able to look past the struggles that come with his speech impediment to perfect his craft.


Carlsson spoke with Scott Wheeler of the Athletic, and opened up on how growing up with a stutter impacted his life.


For the most part, Calrsson has been able to manage his stutter, and keep it in check when speaking to the media. However, when he made the move to play junior hockey at just 15 years of age, the stress of living by himself and balancing school with hockey brought out his stutter once again in full force.


Carlsson was able to find things to make living on his own easier, such as cooking. These distractions from the stress of living by himself as a 15-year old helped Carlsson manage his stutter better than ever, and it hasn't posed an issue since.

The Athletic - Meet Leo Carlsson, 2023 NHL Draft star, whose stutter is just a ‘part of me'