Brantt Myhres – Pain Killer: From Rock Bottom to Redemption

Keynote Speaker

September 25 Day 3 – Keynote Exhibition Hall North Building 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Pain Killer: From Rock Bottom to Redemption

Brantt Myhres

Session Description

Brantt Myhres shares his extraordinary journey from NHL enforcer to bestselling author and recovery advocate. Once known for his toughness on the ice, Brantt became the only player in NHL history to be suspended for life due to substance abuse—four failed drug tests, a career in ruins, and a life unraveling fast.

In this powerful closing keynote, Brantt opens up about his descent into addiction, his path to sobriety in 2008, and how he ultimately turned pain into purpose. He reflects on being hired by the LA Kings in 2015 as the league’s first-ever sober coach, and how that second chance lit a fire that led to a major publishing deal with Penguin Random House. His memoir, Pain Killer, hit #1 just two weeks after release—proving that stories of recovery matter.

Equal parts raw, honest, and inspiring, Brantt’s talk reminds us that redemption isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. This keynote will leave both professionals and those in recovery with a renewed sense of purpose, hope, and belief in second chances.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the unique challenges faced by professional athletes in high-pressure environments and the role those pressures can play in the development of substance use disorders.
  • Understand the impact of long-term addiction on identity, career, and mental health through the lens of lived experience.
  • Explore the value of peer support, mentorship, and purpose-driven recovery in achieving long-term sobriety and rebuilding a meaningful life.

Bio

Brantt Myhres is a former NHL enforcer, bestselling author, and nationally recognized advocate for recovery and mental health in professional sports. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, Brantt played for five NHL teams over the course of his career. Known for his physical style on the ice, he battled a much tougher opponent off the ice—substance addiction.

Brantt became the only player in NHL history to be suspended for life due to substance abuse violations, failing four drug tests and cycling through five treatment centers before finally getting sober in 2008. After rebuilding his life from rock bottom, Brantt earned a second chance in the very league that once banned him. In 2015, he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings as the NHL’s first-ever sober coach—offering mentorship and support to players and staff struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.

In 2020, Penguin Random House offered Brantt a book deal to share his journey. The result, Pain Killer: A Memoir of Big League Addiction, became a #1 national bestseller within two weeks of release. The memoir details his harrowing descent into addiction, the impact of trauma and identity loss in pro sports, and the long road to healing, purpose, and redemption.

Brantt now speaks across North America on recovery, resilience, and the power of second chances. His unique voice bridges the gap between lived experience and professional insight, inspiring both individuals in recovery and the professionals who serve them. He is the founder of UnHammered, a sober lifestyle brand and podcast aimed at removing the stigma around addiction and promoting wellness through bold, authentic storytelling.

Join us for the Alberta Recovery Summit, hosted by the 9th Annual Recovery Capital Conference taking place on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025.

 Session Streams

  • Health Care and Recovery
  • Indigenous Health
  • Occupational Health and Safety

 Key Details

  • DAY ONE September 23rd – 5:30 pm 6:30: Early Badge Pick Up and Networking Reception, 6:30 pm to 8 pm Pre Conference Presentation
  • DAY TWO September 24th – 8:45 am to 5 pm : Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
  • DAY THREE September 25th – 9 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions

 Hotels

Book your hotel at one of our host hotels and save money. Click on the links for the discount rates and book early as rates will go up, and they always sell out.

Schedule

Speakers

Registration

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