Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died at 52. His household confirmed he died by suicide in an announcement launched Tuesday night time.
“The household strongly believes and witnessed firsthand, that Chris struggled immensely from CTE which sadly resulted in his demise,” the assertion, supplied by Simon’s former agent, Paul Theofanous, on behalf of Simon’s household, learn.
“We’re grieving with the lack of our son, brother, father, accomplice, teammate and pal. Your complete Wawa group is sharing in our grief. We is not going to be releasing any additional particulars presently and ask for privateness throughout this very troublesome time. We respect everybody who shares in our tragic loss.”
There is not any technique to verify CTE — the degenerative mind illness continual traumatic encephalopathy — whereas an individual is alive, although docs can determine suspected instances based mostly on signs and neurological exams.
Simon was recognized for his physicality in a profession that noticed him play for seven franchises. A member of the Quebec Nordiques, he was a part of the group that relocated to Denver and helped the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup in franchise historical past throughout the 1995-96 season.
“Chris was an amazing man, a beloved teammate and vital a part of our first championship season,” Avalanche president Joe Sakic stated in an announcement. “He was a very good hockey participant who may rating targets, was an enormous presence within the dressing room and was the primary particular person to face up and defend his teammates. Off the ice he was an unbelievable man and a caring father, son, brother, and pal. He might be sorely missed.”
The Islanders posted on social media that Simon “epitomized what it means to be an Islander, somebody who wore his coronary heart on his sleeve each on the ice and locally.”
The NHL known as Simon a “fierce competitor and teammate.” The NHL Alumni Affiliation’s social media account learn: “Chris was by no means afraid to face up for his teammates, and performed a key position within the dressing room. He was a beloved pal, father, brother, and son.”
“For an enormous robust participant, he was additionally a really variety, caring particular person who was all the time respectful and grateful for recommendation,” former agent Larry Kelly stated in a textual content message to The Related Press.
Simon spent the majority of his profession with the Washington Capitals and scored a career-high 29 targets and 49 factors throughout the 1999-2000 season. He would additionally play for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Islanders and Minnesota Wild over his profession.
Simon, who was of Ojibwa descent, was thought-about a job mannequin for First Nations hockey gamers throughout Canada.
“Chris Simon was most undoubtedly an intimidating man on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media. “We spent a variety of time collectively throughout Flames ’04 run since we have been each residing within the resort. … He could not have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You may be missed.”
Simon final performed within the NHL within the 2007-08 season earlier than spending the subsequent 5 seasons taking part in within the KHL in Russia, the place he turned a two-time all-star.
He completed his NHL profession with 1,824 penalty minutes and 305 factors in 864 video games.
The Related Press contributed to this report.