from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

“I was sweating,” the former NHL player said. “I was shaking. I got down on my hands and knees beside the bed and I start saying goodbye to everybody in my mind. I’m thinking ‘I’m dying right now. This is it.’

“That was the first time it ever happened. It didn’t really hit me until I was trying to decide whether to stay in Montreal or play for the Leafs. I was a free agent. I was torn. I didn’t say anything to anybody. How do you explain that? My dad died at 45 and I’ve always been afraid of dying young. I think about that a lot. And then this happens and you’re trying to figure out — what’s going on with me? Why is this happening to me?”

For almost his entire NHL career, the 19 years, the 1,156 games for five different teams, Corson kept his anxiety problem to himself. His coaches didn’t know. His general managers didn’t know. His agent didn’t really know. The odd teammate, the close ones, knew, and his mom knew, and maybe a few family members.

“I was afraid to tell anyone,” said Corson. “I was afraid and embarrassed to show weakness. I probably should have opened up to someone like (Pat Quinn). He was the kind of guy who would have understood. I probably should have told people. I can see that now. I couldn’t see it then. If you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong with you, how can you expect others to understand?”

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