Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and his fiancée Carolina Matovac faced a life-altering crisis while vacationing in France. Matovac, aged 25, suffered a sudden heart failure during their summer holiday, prompting an emergency medical response that ultimately saved her life.
According to Dahlin’s statement on the Sabres’ official website, Matovac began to experience severe health issues that escalated rapidly over a few days. “Carolina began to feel sick for a few days, which quickly turned into her experiencing major heart failure,” he reported. The couple’s holiday took a dire turn as emergency responders performed CPR on Matovac multiple times, sometimes for hours at a time. “Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable,” Dahlin added, reflecting on the gravity of the situation.
Following the initial crisis, Matovac was transferred to the hospital, where she spent several weeks before undergoing a heart transplant. In an update, Dahlin shared that she is currently “recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.” He has since returned to the United States, where NHL pre-season games are in full swing.
Dahlin expressed his admiration for Matovac’s resilience during this challenging time. “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,” he said. This experience, he noted, has been the most challenging chapter of their lives but has also provided valuable lessons.
The couple aims to raise awareness about the significance of CPR training, organ donation, and heart health, issues that affect countless families worldwide. “We want to spotlight the importance of CPR treatment, CPR training, organ donation, and heart-related issues that impact so many people and families around the world,” Dahlin stated. He also extended gratitude to the healthcare professionals who played a crucial role in Matovac’s care. “We cannot say thank you enough to all organ donors, and are appreciative beyond words for the new life that organ donation has provided to Carolina.”
Dahlin, who is entering his eighth season in the NHL after being selected first overall by the Sabres in the 2018 draft, is also preparing for potential participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, having been named to Sweden’s preliminary roster. Despite the ongoing challenges, he conveyed a message of hope and gratitude, urging everyone to reflect on the importance of cherishing their loved ones and experiences. “We hope that we can all reflect on how fortunate we are to have the people and experiences that we share together every single day.”
