Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin announced Friday that his fiancée Carolina Matovac underwent a lifesaving heart transplant this summer after her heart failed during a vacation in France.
Dahlin and Matovac posted a message on the Sabres website detailing the medical emergency. The defenseman wrote that Matovac felt sick for several days before her condition became critical.
She required CPR on “multiple occasions and up to a couple of hours at a time.” Matovac then spent weeks on life support before receiving a new heart.
“Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario.”
Dahlin said his fiancée is “on the path to a full recovery.” She’s currently rehabilitating in Sweden before doctors clear her to travel to Buffalo.
The couple used their announcement to highlight important medical causes.
“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. 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.”
They credited medical staff at hospitals in France and Sweden, as well as the Hogsbo Rehabilitation Center in Sweden.
Dahlin also thanked the NHL and NHL Players’ Association for their support. He expressed gratitude to the Sabres organization and his agent Craig Oster. NHLPA physician Scott Delaney helped oversee Matovac’s medical treatment plans and provided comfort to the couple’s families.
The announcement came as Dahlin arrived in Buffalo for training camp, which opened Thursday.
The 25-year-old is entering his eighth NHL season after Buffalo selected him first overall in the 2018 draft. The Swedish defenseman has topped 50 points in each of his past four seasons and earned selection to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“(Matovac) has demonstrated an incredible determination, spirit, positivity and resilience that I am in awe of.”
Dahlin described the experience as a learning opportunity despite the challenges.
“This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives. However it is something that we have learned so much from. 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.”
