Kevin Lindskoug spent over 10 years as a pro goaltender, turning out for clubs including IF Björklöven in his native Sweden. | City-Press via Getty Images

A former professional goaltender has spoken publicly for the first time about being trans, in the hope that openness might break down mental health stigmas in men’s hockey.

Kevin Lindskoug spent over a decade playing for pro clubs in his native Sweden and elsewhere in Europe, and also had a season in Michigan with junior team Muskegon Lumberjacks.

It was recently announced that he has been suspended from hockey for four years, having tested positive for an illegal substance after a match in Scotland in February.

On Saturday, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published a feature interview with Lindskoug, headlined “Kevin comes out” and accompanied by a photo of him in a dress, blonde wig and make-up taken at an ice rink. 

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The article outlined the 32-year-old’s complicated trans identity and the mental health struggles he has experienced over several years.

Journalist Kristoffer Bergstrom wrote that “Lindskoug is not gay but has had a girlfriend most of his adult life. He is single now.

“He is a transvestite in the true sense of the word, i.e. a person who sometimes uses the gender expression of another gender, but thinks that the word has acquired an unwanted charge. The English crossdresser sounds better.”

Lindgskoug explained how he concealed his femininity from friends and teammates for years, with only his occasional painted nails drawing interest.

However, in summer 2023 he began to venture outdoors while wearing women’s clothing. Then at a Halloween party in the Polish town of Nowy Targ, where he was in his second spell playing for the local hockey club in the country’s top league, he arrived dressed as a woman.

According to the article, rumors about Lindskoug’s sexuality circulated and he was ostracized from the club. His depression spiralled and he started taking cocaine.

A few months later, he signed for Scottish club Fife Flyers but left after only seven games. “After a few days, my roommate gossiped,” he told Aftonbladet. “He had found a bag of cocaine and told the sports director who kicked me out.”

A switch to rival EIHL club Glasgow Clan soon followed but he says he became the subject of a blackmail attempt. When he was called in by doping control having taken cocaine in the build-up to a match, he confessed to his drug use.

Among those who read the interview feature was former goaltender Tommy Salo, who won Olympic gold with Sweden in 1994 and played for three NHL teams in his career — the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.

Salo, now 53 and head coach of Swedish top-flight club Leksands IF, said he was “very impressed” by Lindskoug’s courage.

“He makes it easier for others who also want to come out but don’t know if they dare,” Salo told Aftonbladet. “He really gets my warmest praise.”

Lindskoug has ambitions to get into coaching and had been helping to train young hockey players at a club near Umea, but he has since been told he must wait until his lengthy suspension ends before he can resume the role.

“Four years can go by fast,” added Salo. “I really hope you come back, Kevin, because you seem passionate about being a youth leader. You are needed.”

Another ex-NHL star to respond to the article was Jonathan Hedström, whose career as a winger included a spell with the Anaheim Ducks, who were at the time known as the Mighty Ducks.

The 46-year-old says he reached out personally to Lindskoug and described him as “incredibly strong… I hope he gets all the love.”

Since hanging up his skates, Hedström has spoken about his mental health and how eating disorders affected him during his playing days.

He believes Lindskoug’s story offers a rare insight into the hidden traumas experienced by some athletes in men’s sports, particularly those who are scared to reveal their most personal struggles.

“That is the problem with culture in general. It is difficult for many to dare as long as they are active. It is perhaps above all about the hatred from opponents and the audience,” he added to Aftonbladet.

Hedström is encouraging Lindskoug to consider speaking opportunities as he serves out his suspension. 

Anders Wahlström, development director of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, also believes Lindskoug has a lot to offer the sport. 

“The fact that he comes out is only positive in every way, for him as an individual, for society at large, and for hockey,” said Wahlström.

“We need people who step forward and show that you can be who you want to be. We are all unique and must be allowed to be so in hockey.”