Who is Sam Gagner's wife? All we know about professional lifesaver Dr. Rachel Yelena

Edmonton Oilers winger Sam Gagner has been a prominent figure in the world of ice hockey for over 15 years.

While hockey fans are well-acquainted with his achievements on the ice, less is known about his personal life, particularly his wife, Dr. Rachel Yelena.

Yelena was born on Sept. 5 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Dr. Bernie Linke and Trudy Linke. She comes from a family with a medical background.

She graduated in medicine from the University of Alberta in 2013 and has since been working at a family medical clinic in Edmonton.

This medical background gives her a unique perspective on the demanding schedules and injuries athletes like her husband often face.

Rachel and Sam first crossed paths in 2008 through mutual friends in Edmonton. They were in a long-distance relationship when Sam was acquired by the Arizona Coyotes in 2014 and got married later that year, on July 12, 2014, in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

Their wedding was a glamorous affair with a Great Gatsby theme. Rachel donned an elegant gown by Inbal Dror. The ceremony was made even more special with Gagner's sister singing while accompanied by Linke's brother on the guitar.

The couple has three children: Cooper, Beckham, and Cali.

---

Dr. Rachel Yelena's support and Sam Gagner's Oilers signing

Sam Gagner recently signed a two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $775,000, marking a fresh chapter in his hockey career.

In the fall of 2013, Rachel, his then-fiancée, received a call during her shift that Sam had suffered a severe high stick injury during an Oilers training camp, resulting in a shattered jaw, lost teeth, and extensive surgical repair.

Gagner remarkably returned to the ice after missing just 13 games, surprising his doctors.