Hockey Star's Heartline: Fighting Back from Myocarditis

0:00Jacob LaGuariaire, a 21-year-old Ottawa defenseman and former Montreal Canadians prospect, hit a wall during his first full season with the Rotford Ice Hogs in the American Hockey League. Chess Pressure, eggs and heart palpitations forced him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed viral myocarditis inflammation of the heart muscle. Often sparked by a virus. This sidelined his NHL dreams for years, but he turned his fight into a short documentary called Heartline with CBC Ottawa. Doctors like Chris Glover from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute say most folks bounce back in three to six months with rest, but Jacob's case. Dragged on much longer, symptoms kept flaring up even after two years of light exercise clearance, filling his days with fear and hospital trips. His mom Haleine rushed to Illinois early on, describing it like staring down death, while Jacob battled mental health struggles and self-doubt. Off the ice, he launched Heartline Apparel, donating proceeds to the Heart

1:02Institute and enrolled in arts and health sciences at the University of Ottawa to keep moving forward. By late 2024, he suited up with the University's hockey team and that fall in 2025, he made his pro-return. With the indie fuel in the ECHL, saying coaches before for that full-circle vibe, a head injury later that season with the University of Ottawa Gigi's paused him again. Now recovering, Jacob's eye next year to chase high-level hockey once more, reminding young players to prioritize health and save her every shift you. Just never know what's around the bin. I'm Cory with the story and you've been listening to Canada News today. AI-powered local news.