Tim Leonard when he was with the Prince Albert Raiders. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert Raiders)
#BellLetsTalk

Local legend opens up about his experience with depression and anxiety

Jan 28, 2021 | 4:10 PM

Tim Leonard is a local coaching legend. He led the Prince Albert Mintos to back-to-back Telus Cup midget (now U18) national championships in 2006 and 2007. With him behind the bench, Leonard helped create the Mintos’ legacy and history that attracts some of the best U18 AAA players across the province today to Hockey Town North.

But at times, Leonard did not feel like the fearless leader many in the Mintos organization saw him as. Leonard said he suffered from depression and anxiety for years, which he said was tough on him and his family.

“I’m supposed to be this coach that people lean on and go to for their problems, and here I am having them myself,” Leonard said. “It’s something you want to hide from and you’re ashamed a bit—and we shouldn’t be.”

While the annual #BellLetsTalk online movement to promote discussions about mental health, Leonard phoned into the paNOW office on Thursday to discuss his experience with anxiety and depression. He hopes putting a local face on the story and sharing his experience will help those struggling—especially during the tough times we’re all going through during the pandemic.

“It’s something that’s prominent now in the world. The pros are speaking about it and I just thought with somebody local, it might be easier for people to approach and talk about it.”

Leonard said the peak of his anxiety and depression came when he left the Prince Albert Raiders in 2014. At the time, the Raiders said Leonard resigned for “personal reasons” in their announcements. Looking back, Leonard said that hockey “had gone south” for him with the Raiders, but he was not ready to talk to anybody about it then.

“You just kind of want to crawl up in a ball and be by yourself,” Leonard said. “I think the biggest thing about it is getting out, every day trying to do a little more, and a little more, to get back to your old self and start talking to people and try to carry on with your life the best you can.”

Those that suffer from depression and anxiety often hide it, or try and battle through it themselves. Leonard eventually “came clean,” as he puts it, to some of his closest friends like Todd Becker who coached on the Mintos with Leonard, as well as some good friends at work like Rusty Clunie and Gord Broda.

Leonard was thankful to have a good support system with his friends and family, and for the fact “he found the nerve” to speak up and ask for help–which was not easy to do.

“It was hard. It was extremely hard. I had the Mintos and we wanted to build it into a good program, and we did—the best in Canada. For me to come out and speak on this, that’s why it’s been so many years because it’s tough…,” Leonard said. “The biggest thing is I had some friends to talk to. There is help there. It’s just a matter of getting rid of that stigma that if you’re the big strong person, head of a hockey team, etc. that something like this couldn’t happen to you.”

Leonard was once afraid to tell his closest friends about his experience, now comfortable with it to the point that he’s phoning radio stations and online newspapers to raise awareness.

He even provided paNOW with his phone number [306-960-3713] for anybody that wanted to chat with the coach about his experience with depression.

“My biggest thing is I’m at the point now where I’ve been through it. If I can help anybody and talk to them, I’ll even give my phone number and try to help as many people as I can.”

After some time off, Leonard has returned to coaching in hockey after being inspired by Shawn Phaneuf to do so. Leonard took over at the beginning of this season as the head coach of the Parkland U18 AA Elks out of Shellbrook.

They were 2-0 before the season was postponed due to COVID-19 and said he loves that he’s back behind the bench again.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

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