Colorado Avalanche Captain Gabe Landeskog Opens Up About Injury, Identity & Resilience in New Five-Part Docuseries With Appearances From Stamkos, Makar, Johnson & MacKinnon Featuring Soundtrack By Nathaniel Rateliff.
Gabe Landeskog sits at home, journaling - a ritual he has practiced since his season-ending surgery in 2022, prescribed by his therapist. In its pages, he meticulously tracks his daily mental and physical well-being (or lack thereof) in the years since undergoing a radical knee surgery that no NHL player has ever come back from.
Gabe aims to be the first.
“I hear people question that: ‘How could he get this surgery? No one's ever done this before. No one's ever come back,’’ says Gabe’s best friend and former teammate, Erik Johnson. Reflecting on the decision to move forward with the transplant, he adds “From my level, I think that's total bullshit, because at some point, every surgery is the first of its kind. Gabe's a pioneer in what he's doing. [...] I wouldn't bet against him.”
It seems nobody will. Avalanche teammates and fellow Stanley Cup Champions Cale Makar and Nate MacKinnon appear in the docuseries alongside longtime friend and rival, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.
The truth is, this is the story every professional athlete fears. A Clean Sheet shines a light on a harsh reality: not all athletes emerge unscathed from competition. The stakes are high as they confront the looming threat of career-altering injuries, battles that test not just physical endurance but the very core of their identity.
“The physical pain can easily induce a lot of emotional pain,” Gabe reflects while receiving an ultrasound treatment. “Some days, I find it easy to keep chugging along and put one foot in front of the other, and other days, I’m wondering what’s next.” It’s this kind of intimate access that sets A Clean Sheet apart from other sports documentaries. This series takes viewers beyond the glamour of celebrity and victory, offering an unfiltered look into the psyche of an athlete confronting the fragility of his body and the indomitable spirit required to redefine their identity beyond their sport.
Gabe’s journal provides the backbone of the series. Through direct-to-camera pieces, he recounts the past four years, tracking key milestones in his rehab and their impact on his mental health. Viewers are a fly on the wall during his rehab in Philadelphia, the moment he walked up a set of stairs for the first time post-op, noting “Pool, stairs… Hope” in his journal - only to later document the setbacks of October: “Tendon tear, major disruption, pain. Worry.”
It was these emotional highs and lows that drew Denver musician Nathaniel Rateliff to the project. “This series depicts a journey of self discovery through challenges and hardship. Much like my music, we tell these stories to remind each other that we are not alone, that moments of darkness are temporary.” Rateliff provided his discography to be used as the series soundtrack.
Melissa Landeskog, featured prominently in the series, has been Gabe’s foundation throughout this turbulent chapter. “We talked about this so much,” she says. “If he can give any young athlete, or anybody in any profession any inspiration, that’s what he wants to do. That’s the goal.”
Gabe himself sees the docuseries as a way of giving back. “An osteoallochrondrograft with a tibial tuberostomy - not a lot of people are going through necessarily the exact same surgery and the rehab. But anybody that’s going through something, you can relate to other people going through a tough time. Whatever it might be, emotionally, physically, whatever it might be, I just want people to know that they’re not alone.”
Episode 1: Sun, March 9 at 12:00 PM ET (TNT & truTV)
Episode 2: Sun, March 16 at 12:00 PM ET (TNT & truTV)
Episode 3: Wed, March 26 at 6:30 PM ET (TNT & truTV)
Episode 4: Sun, April 6 at 11:30 AM ET (TNT & truTV)
Episode 5: Sun, April 13 at 12:00 PM ET (TNT & truTV)
Tony Landeskog, Gabe’s father, was a pro in the Swedish League and had Gabe on skates when he was four years old. Gabe quickly rose through the ranks, captaining his pee-wee teams. “He was always just a little bigger than his teammates, a little more intellectual about the sport.” By the age of 12, he was already traveling across Sweden, playing in amateur leagues, and by 16, he had moved to Canada to compete in the Canadian Hockey League.
A breakout player, he was drafted second overall into the NHL at 18 and named captain just a year later - the youngest in league history at the time. Over the next decade, he became a two-time World Champion, an Olympic Silver Medalist, a Stanley Cup Champion, a devoted husband, and a father of two.
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When I missed the 2022-2023 season, and was debating whether to do this surgery, I was watching the Andy Murray documentary, Resurfacing and it really closely mirrored what I was going through, and it helped me. I started documenting the process when we decided to do the ACO with the TTO, and I knew that it would be a long process, with lots of ups and downs. It’s a specific thing to go through, but I think anyone going through any number of things can relate. I wanted to help anyone else going through something similar. Looking back, the last game I played was winning the Stanley Cup, and knowing what I know now, it’s easy to take those moments for granted.
It was important that the camera be alongside for these kinds of key moments, but also steer clear of the rehab process. We wanted the smallest crew possible which ultimately ended up being one person, and the look and feel of the series reflects that. Besides the key interview, there were never lights on set, or audio people, not even a tripod. Everything was designed to be quick and simple. They team wanted to optimize telling the story and treat the camera a bit like a video journal, but also like viewers were just along for the ride. We did a lot of filming driving to and from doctors appointments, the rink, and rebab, so yes, quite literally along for the ride.
This is a bit different than not only sports narratives, but the way a lot of stories are being told. This story is unfolding in real time and the camera is there in Toronto, in Chicago, in Philly, in Calgary, and of course in Denver. Good skate, bad skate, good appointment, bad appointment, the camera is there. And most importantly, we don't know how this story ends. Coming up on three years off the ice, two of those years in rehab, and through all the ups and downs, we still don't know what is going to happen and that is very different. Normally I think folks would wait and see how it plays out, but this story is about the journey, not the destination.
I think there might be some familiar faces. Some good friends and teammates were nice enough to pop in. EJ, Stamkos, Cale, and Nate make a few appearances, and we are excited to have them on board and have their support.
This year’s Home Opener was a bit more difficult than I expected and having a camera there didn’t make it easier. But ultimately, as difficult as it was, that's kind of the point of this story, just to see what happens.
I hope audiences get to see truth in the process. Even though the unknown is real, working through the ups and downs, good and bad, is also real.
Nathaniel Rateliff is a singer-songwriter known for his raw, soulful voice and deeply personal storytelling. Raised in Missouri, Rateliff’s early life was shaped by music in the church, hard work, and personal loss. His journey eventually led him to Denver’s vibrant music scene, where he formed Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
Rooted in vintage soul and blues, yet brimming with contemporary energy, Rateliff’s music blends grit with vulnerability. Despite his success, he remains grounded, crafting songs that speak to life’s highs and lows with honesty and passion- proving that authentic storytelling and soul-stirring music never go out of style.
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Gabe is a fantastic hockey player and symbol of the Colorado sports landscape. When I heard about his project I was excited to see it, as a Coloradan and an Avalanche fan. To then have the opportunity to be a part of the film with my music was a no brainer.
Music and sports are places where people come to find community. They bring people - from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives - together to share in a collective experience centered around joy.
This series depicts a journey of self discovery through challenges and hardship. Much like my music, we tell these stories to remind each other that we are not alone, that moments of darkness are temporary.
Colorado music and sports are deeply rooted in strong fan bases that support athletes and artists. To be welcomed into the sports community as a musician is unique and special. I am grateful to Gabe and the Colorado Avalanche community for supporting me over the years and look forward to continuing our connection.
Jared Kleinstein is the Founder and CEO of Denver-based Fresh Tape Media and Gondola Inc.. Previously he led Sports and International Content Strategy at Vine & Twitter, where he developed creative content executions and managed relationships with various sports organizations around the globe. Until 2014 he ran Strategic Partnerships for StreetEasy. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, two daughters, and best friend (his dog, Manchego).
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The partnership developed organically; we've worked with Gabe for years through our work with the Avalanche and across various brands. When his surgery was announced in 2022, our Head of Production, Avalon Koenig, sent him a note with well wishes. He simply responded with, "Do you want to tell the story?" and the rest is history.
Lucky for us, he's the best. Gabe has always treated every crew he's worked with like family, and brings genuine joy to the production process. He was born for this, but is normally too humble to self-promote. We're incredibly fortunate that he gave us the opportunity to be a part of this journey.
The story has been compelling from day one, mainly because of how groundbreaking it is for an athlete, especially a hockey player, to be this exposed. It takes immense vulnerability to open up your life, from your physical recovery to mental health, to cameras and, eventually, the public. Very few have done it, especially with the uncertainty of an injury looming. Not only were we inspired by Gabe's willingness to let us in, but also excited by how this can pave the way for others to share their own stories.
What we didn't initially know, but what truly transformed the concept of the show, was that Gabe had been capturing his recovery and his family's day-to-day life with his own camcorder (what his family lovingly calls, "Daddy Cam"). It shows the life he lives when there's no one else but him and his family around, and is an angle that most filmmakers dream of getting. Our 'talent' is also our videographer in his own right, and we don't take for granted how lucky we are to have that.
Since we started shooting, there have been only two priorities: Gabe's recovery and living his life as a dad. We’ve aimed to capture whatever content we can without disrupting that. To do so, we've been playing the "fly on the wall" role with a skeleton crew – primarily AJ Oscarson, our Director – as Gabe travels around the US and Canada. Establishing that rapport and creating a safe space has led to the most honest and vulnerable content, which I don't think we could've captured any other way.
Beyond that, we've had incredible buy-in from his entire support system. From his wife, Melissa, to his Dad, to other Avs players and NHL captains, what started as a one-man show has become a truly collaborative effort of people willing to share their stories.
Headquartered in Denver and New York City, Fresh Tape Media is a production company that works alongside some of the top teams, leagues, and athletes in the world. Our specialty lies in capturing authentic moments behind the camera while top athletes are in front of it. We excel at making athletes feel comfortable and open, thanks to our small, dedicated production team.
With a group of seasoned professionals who have a keen understanding of the delicate balance between vulnerability and triumph, we’ve crafted compelling athlete stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. Fresh Tape Media not only captures the stakes inherent in an athlete’s journey but does so with emotional depth and cinematic finesse - qualities that make A Clean Sheet a documentary that will resonate with viewers long after the final frame.
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