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Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin detailed a “traumatic” experience he and his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, experienced this NHL offseason.
“While on vacation in France early this summer, Carolina began to feel sick for a few days, which quickly turned into her experiencing heart failure,” the couple shared in a statement on Friday, September 19. “Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life.”
The statement continued, “Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario.”
“She was transferred to a hospital where she remained on life support for weeks before she was the beneficiary of a heart transplant while still in France,” the couple concluded.
Matovac is now “recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.”
“While Carolina is still working through her rehab to return to be with me in Buffalo, she has demonstrated an incredible determination, spirit, positivity and resilience that I am in awe of,” the statement said. “This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something we have learned so much from.”
Sabres fans and the NHL community flooded the post with well-wishes for Dahlin and Matovac.
“Praying for a quick and healthy recovery for Carolina, and a strong mind and peace for Ras ♥️,” one fan wrote.
Another said, “This gave me chills to read. What a shock to read. Unimaginably scary. Sending Carolina all the healing and positive thoughts as her recovery continues and to Ras and their families as they support her and each other.”
American tennis star Jessica Pegula, the daughter of Sabres owner Terry Pegula, commented with three heart-hands emojis.
“The Flames family sends our thoughts and well-wishes to Carolina and Rasmus 💙,” the NHL’s Calgary Flames wrote.
Dahlin, 25, and Matovac, both natives of Sweden, have been dating for over six years, though it’s not clear when the couple got engaged.
“Five years of loving you ❤️,” Matovac posted via Instagram in June 2024.
In a celebratory birthday post earlier this year, Matovac hinted that she and Dahlin were friends long before they started dating.
“Cheers to 25 years and a decade spent celebrating together! 🎂🎈,” she shared via Instagram in August. “Couldn’t wish for a better birthday twin✨.”
Dahlin was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Sabres and has spent all seven of his NHL seasons with the team.
In October 2023, he signed an eight-year, $88 million contract extension with the organization. Dahlin was named the Sabres’ captain ahead of the 2024 season.
Years into Dahlin’s time with the Sabres, Matovac admitted she was looking to find “purpose,” which led her to start working at GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in Buffalo.
“I think many people who don’t know about the people here I think just expect to feel sorry for them,” Matovac told 7 News Buffalo in March 2023. “And you have nothing to feel sorry about. Because they are the happiest, most loving kids ever.”
