Exclusive: Lehner speaks out - english version

Robin Lehner, once one of Sweden’s top hockey goaltenders, has lived a life in the spotlight — but also in the shadow of mental illness, addiction, and increasingly chaotic personal struggles. In this exclusive interview with Hockeynews, he tells the story of his journey from NHL success to complete isolation.

This isn’t the first time Lehner has attempted to break the silence. In a phone interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal in late 2024, he pushed back against claims that he had “disappeared” during his bankruptcy proceedings.

“I don’t need sympathy. Bring something real to me, and I’ll take it like a man. But everything is false,” he said.

“I’ve just tried to survive”

When we reach Robin Lehner, he’s a man who feels like he has nothing left to lose. He’s candid, worn out by his situation — and describes his everyday life in one word: solitude.

From winning the William M. Jennings Trophy and being praised for speaking openly about mental health, he now lives in an anonymous apartment, caught in legal proceedings that he says may result in a lengthy prison sentence.

He doesn’t reveal his current whereabouts — but sources indicate that he’s spent the last two years between the U.S., Thailand, and Sweden.

“I don’t know what to do right now. It’s hard to talk to people about this. But I’ve gathered everything I need for the process — that’s how I’ve survived,” he tells Hockeynews.

He describes a life where he feels that authorities, lawyers, and the media have gradually taken everything from him — legal support, his reputation, his family.

“First they took away my name. Then my lawyers. Then the banks. Then my family. Now I’m completely alone.”

The Bankruptcy and the Image of Disappearance

The U.S. bankruptcy process has been central to Lehner’s fall from NHL prominence. Court filings have claimed that he became unreachable to his attorneys and failed to file a change of address after leaving his Las Vegas residence.

Lehner firmly denied this in the Review-Journal:

“This makes it seem like I just vanished and ignored everyone,” he said, insisting he’s remained in contact with his family.

He claims he authorized his former attorney, Zach Larson, to manage his legal matters, but communications ceased when he could no longer pay.

“And when I couldn’t pay, they lied to the court — and now the newspapers write this, and it makes me look like a horrible father.”

He also rejected media claims that he and his wife had sold luxury items to raise money.

The Divorce — and the Reason Behind It

In February 2026, Robin and Donya Lehner’s divorce became public. They had been married for 12 years and have children together. Robin says the decision wasn’t about a broken relationship — but about protecting his family from what he describes as external threats.

“We had to get divorced. It was too dangerous to stay together. We agreed on it — but it was still horrible.”

He now says he has no contact with his children.

“They’ve completely taken the kids from me. I haven’t heard from them in a long time. It hurts more than anything.”

A Hockey Life of Struggles

Lehner made his NHL debut at age 19, alone in North America after leaving Sweden and his family behind. He’s long been open about battling addiction and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“I fought alcohol and drugs, but I always tried to perform. Game days were the only times I had peace in my head. Hockey was my escape.”

In the Review-Journal interview, he reflected on rebuilding his reputation after rehab:

“I had built such a good reputation after a fantastic year on Long Island. Best organization ever. Chicago was amazing too. And Vegas… ruthless. No emotions. That’s why they win.”

But the professional facade eventually cracked. After a major hip surgery in 2022, he was placed on long-term injured reserve.

“They removed me from the salary cap. That’s never happened to anyone else. I haven’t played since then.”

He believes the media, NHL organizations, and even the legal system have played a role in shaping a misleading public image.

“They use my bipolar diagnosis against me. Like what I say doesn’t matter.”

The Reptile Farm and the Headlines

One of the more sensational elements of his bankruptcy story was the link to a reptile farm in Missouri. The farm gained attention after its former owner was murdered by his wife.

Lehner strongly objected to how the story was reported:

“I was actually trying to do something good with the snakes. I wanted to create a retirement sanctuary for reptiles — not what people think.”

He also claimed that the business wasn’t the financial disaster it was made out to be.

A Future in Limbo — “I might go to prison”

Far from the Olympic spotlight in Milan — where many of his former teammates from Ottawa, Buffalo, the Islanders, and Vegas are competing — Lehner now faces the real possibility of a criminal conviction.

Speaking to Hockeynews, he says:

“The bankruptcy ends this month. Once it’s closed, they’ll take it to a criminal case. I’ve already seen how they’re setting it up — I’m screwed. A long prison sentence is likely.”

Still, he insists he hasn’t given up. On the contrary, he wants the truth to come out, no matter the personal cost.

“I’ve been thinking about just taking the prison sentence so I can release all the evidence I’ve gathered. I’ve been collecting it for a year and a half.”

His story is difficult to verify in full — but that doesn’t make it any less raw. Regardless of the truth’s finer details, the image that remains is one of a man who’s fallen from hero to the margins of society.

“Everything is gone. But I’m not blaming others”

Despite everything, Lehner says he doesn’t want pity — just recognition that he tried.

“I’m not sitting here blaming others. I’ve made mistakes. But I’m not a bad person. A lot of people have tried to make me look like one.”

He describes a life where loyalty has been lost, his children are far away, and there’s no place he can call home.

“I’m not registered in Sweden. I can’t be in the U.S. I have nowhere to live. I’m completely alone.”

A long silence follows his last sentence.

When we ask if he has regrets, he replies:

“It was close to going the right way. But then everything collapsed. I lost everything. I destroyed my health, my family… but I tried.”