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One of the best young defenders in the NHL, Rasmus Dahlin, has announced that his fiancee, Carolina Matovac, received a heart transplant over the summer after first suffering from heart failure while on vacation in France.
The Buffalo Sabres captain, 25, and Matovac have been in a relationship for several years, appearing on each other's social media profiles as far back as 2019.
The engaged couple released a letter through the Sabres website, detailing the gut-wrenching experience.
'While on vacation in France early this summer, Carolina began to feel sick for a few days, which quickly turned into her experiencing major heart failure. Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life,' the letter stated.
'Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario.'
'She was transferred to a hospital where she remained on life support for weeks before she was a beneficiary of a heart transplant while still in France.'
NHL star Rasmus Dahlin has revealed that his fiancee, Carolina Matovac, had a heart transplant
Matovac's life was saved and she is still recovering as Dahlin prepares to start the NHL season
Matovac and Dahlin gave special thanks to the Centre of Antibes Juan-Les-Pins Hopitaux Universitaires de Marseille, the Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg, and the Hogsbo Rehabilitation Center for their life-saving support.
'Without the incredible commitment, expertise, care, and sensitivity of all the people who treated Carolina, we would not be in the position that we are in today, with Carolina recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.'
'While Carolina is still working through her rehab to return to be with me in Buffalo, she has demonstrated and incredible determination, spirit, positivity, and resilience that I am in awe of.'
'This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something that we have learned so much from.'
Buffalo's preseason gets underway on Monday with a road clash against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Sabres regular season starts on October 9, at home, against the New York Rangers.
