Buffalo Sabres fans welcome fiancée of captain Rasmus Dahlin at first game since heart transplant
On November 20, 2024, Carolina Matovac, the fiancée of Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, made her first appearance of the season during the team's home game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Fans gave her a standing ovation when she was shown on the Jumbotron, waving to the crowd.[1][2]
Dahlin, a 24-year-old Swedish defenseman named the 20th captain in franchise history on October 9, 2024, was shown in a split-screen image alongside Matovac and smiled at the fans' reaction.[1][3]
The arena public address announcer welcomed her, stating: "Welcome home to Carolina Matovac, the fiancée of our captain Rasmus Dahlin. She is back with us, attending her first game of the season. The Sabrehood loves you, Carolina."[1][2]
Matovac, 25, suffered major heart failure in July 2024 while vacationing in southern France with Dahlin. She received CPR multiple times over several hours and remained on life support for weeks before undergoing a heart transplant in France.[4][1]
On September 12, 2024, Dahlin published an open letter on the Sabres' official website detailing the incident and crediting the CPR for saving her life. The couple spent time recovering in Sweden before her return.[4][2]
In January 2025, Matovac disclosed on Instagram that she had been pregnant at the time of the heart failure. The unborn child did not survive, but concerns over the pregnancy prompted her initial hospital visit.[1][2]
The Sabres defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime, improving to 8-9-3 and remaining in contention in the Atlantic Division while seeking to end a 13-season playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NHL.[5][6]
Dahlin, who took leave earlier in the season to support Matovac, has recorded 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists) in 19 games.[5]
Sources
- Fox News, "Buffalo Sabres fans welcome back Rasmus Dahlin's fiancée after lifesaving heart transplant", November 21, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/buffalo-sabres-fans-welcome-back-rasmus-dahlins-fiancee-after-lifesaving-heart-transplant
- WKBW, "Sabres fans give emotional welcome to Capt. Dahlin's fiancée, Carolina Matovac, after heart transplant", November 21, 2024, https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/sabres-fans-give-tearful-welcome-to-captain-rasmus-dahlins-fiancee-carolina-mato-vac-after-heart-transplant
- NHL.com, "Sabres name Rasmus Dahlin 20th captain in team history", October 9, 2024, https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-name-rasmus-dahlin-20th-team-captain/c-320016302
- Buffalo Sabres, "Captain Rasmus Dahlin shares update on fiancée Carolina Matovac", September 12, 2024, https://www.sabres.com/news/captain-rasmus-dahlin-shares-update-on-fiancee-carolina-mato-vac
- NHL.com, "Sabres 3, Bruins 2 (OT): Game Boxscore", November 20, 2024, https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-bos/2024/11/20/2024020553
- NHL.com, "2024-25 Atlantic Division Standings", accessed November 21, 2024, https://www.nhl.com/standings/20242025/conference
