Ty Loney takes up the cudgels for mental health awareness in professional sports

Ty Loney, a 31-year-old ex-pro from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who spent five seasons on the ice in the win2day ICE Hockey League, is no stranger to physical and emotional toughness in professional hockey. His journey began at the tender age of four and eventually led to a career marked by passion and dedication. Loney's path took him to the win2day ICE Hockey League, where he played for the Moser Medical Graz99ers, spusu Vienna Capitals and EC Red Bull Salzburg, winning championships with the Red Bulls. In his second season with Salzburg, however, Ty Loney found himself at a crossroads that changed his life.


Ty Loney still part of EC Red Bull Salzburg winning the championship in 2023.

"Putting health first"
After two concussions and ongoing depression and anxiety disorders, Ty Loney made the difficult but necessary decision to retire from professional hockey. His journey in the sport has been extraordinary, but it was time to prioritize health and wellbeing. Not only was the hockey player's decision a personal turning point, but it also serves as a powerful message about the importance of putting mental health first. "Hockey was the most consistent thing I did in my life for almost 30 years. It was something I always looked forward to, and I will always miss it. Austria became home for my family and me after living there for almost five years, and I'm thankful for all the friendships and memories we made along the way. After getting another concussion and damaging my nervous system, it was time to step away. The last year has been extremely challenging on myself as well as my wife and kids. I was diagnosed with post traumatic anxiety disorder and depression after experiencing a few life altering events that happened during my last season.”


His children as a great support in a difficult time.

"There's no on and off button"
As Loney reports, mental health issues often remain hidden because they are very personal and difficult to deal with. "I always looked at anxiety or depression as a state that someone was in but that they had the ability to just “snap out of it”. Having a severe form of anxiety and depression is something that I never expected to live with. There is no on and off button, and sometimes you feel out of control of your body and emotions. Having anxiety attacks unexpectedly or being in a state of crippling anxiety were issues that I did not know how to deal with.”

Unwavering support from teammates
The culture of professional sports, which is demanding and competitive, can take a significant toll on an athlete's mental health. In Loney's case, it was the support of his teammates, coaches and medical professionals that gave him a glimmer of hope during his difficult journey. Their tireless efforts reinforced his belief that he was still a valuable part of the team, even when he couldn't play. "My teammates were incredibly supportive (they still are to this day), and I never felt like I wasn’t a part of the team. I do want to thank my coaches, our physiotherapist in Salzburg Gerald Breymann, all of my teammates, the APC, the doctor’s that tried to help me, and anyone else that I may have missed, for helping myself and my family during that final year. We crossed every bridge possible to try and find a solution but were unable to discover a “quick fix” or an answer to feel normal again and get back to playing.”


Ty Loney celebrating with teammates.

"It felt like a nightmare".
Ty Loney's last "routine" day on the job as a professional ice hockey player was Jan. 29, 2023, at the game in Vienna. "I was having an anxiety attack on the ice during the warm-ups and then again in the locker room. I couldn’t think straight, my eyes were bouncing all over the place, and it felt like a bad nightmare. Thankfully with the support of my coaching staff and teammates, everyone was supportive.”

Despite his sudden career end and illness, he associates his time as a professional hockey player and his five seasons in the win2day ICE Hockey League with positive experiences. “I am truly fortunate to have had such an amazing career. We were blessed with an amazing opportunity in Graz, created lifelong friends in Vienna (and had our daughter there), and were able to be a part of two championships with RedBull and meet incredible people along the way. I never wanted to leave the game and will hopefully come back as a coach, gm, or in the front office one day. Until then, I hope that everyone in the win2day ICE Hockey League stays healthy and has a memorable season. Enjoy the long bus trips, play some cards, score some goals, and enjoy the ride.”

"You are not alone"
One of the biggest hurdles in overcoming mental health issues is an unwillingness to seek help, especially among athletes who often face societal expectations for strength and resilience. The former professional hockey player has a heartfelt message for athletes facing similar challenges: "I hope that no one out there is afraid to seek help if they think they need it." He emphasizes that " The feeling of spiraling out of control or constantly living in a state of stress/depression is not easy to go through and I cannot imagine doing that alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage." His words are meant to remind them that no one is alone and that there are people who understand what they are going through. "I was normally able to put a smile on my face, laugh with people and joke around, but having the feeling of constant emptiness and living life without color was always looming on the inside. It’s hard to explain, but it’s something that I pray other people will not have to deal with. At the end of the day, if someone feels like they need to get some help – don’t be afraid to reach out. There are more people that feel the way that you do and you are not alone.”

"Using my story to help others"
Ty Loney's personal journey and his work as a "Mental Health Ambassador" are now helping to raise awareness about mental health, especially in the context of professional sports. "I don’t want my experience or my story to shed light on me, but I hope that it can help other people that might be going through something similar. Playing professional sports is the best job in the world. It is extremely challenging but incredibly rewarding. There are so many people dealing with issues that we will never know unless we ask.”

Ty Loney's professional hockey career may have ended, but his work as a mental health "ambassador" has just begun. Congratulations to Ty Loney for his resilience, honesty and commitment to breaking the stigma of mental health in professional sports.