Simon's family says ex-enforcer died by suicide, 'strongly believes' CTE played role
WARNING: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Chris Simon's family says the late NHL enforcer died by suicide.
And it "strongly believes" a progressive and fatal disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries is to blame.
Simon killed himself Monday night at age 52, his family confirmed in a statement provided by the player's former agent, Paul Theofanous.
Once one of hockey's most feared tough guys, the six-foot-three, 232-pound forward from Wawa, Ont., compiled 1,824 penalty minutes -- including more than 100 fights -- in 782 games with seven NHL teams across 15 seasons.
Simon's loved ones believe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) played a significant factor in his suicide.
"The family strongly believes and witnessed firsthand, that Chris struggled immensely from CTE which unfortunately resulted in his death," the statement read. "We are grieving with the loss of our son, brother, father, partner, teammate and friend."
The family added it won't be releasing further details at this time.
"The entire Wawa community is sharing in our grief," the statement read. "We appreciate everyone who shares in our tragic loss."
CTE is associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and continued headshots. Deaths by suicide and drug overdose are common among athletes in CTE cases. The NHL has repeatedly disputed any links between hockey and CTE.
A study of former NHLers published last year showed enforcers lived significantly shorter lives than their peers.
Researchers at New York's Columbia University came to that conclusion after analyzing data from 6,039 players from 1967 through the spring of 2022.
The study found enforcers died on average a decade younger than comparable peers drafted at the same rank, were of similar height and weight, and played the same position.
The researchers did not find more deaths among the NHL enforcers than in the control group.
"However, being an enforcer was associated with dying approximately 10 years earlier and more frequently of suicide and drug overdose than matched controls," the study read. "Re-emphasis on player safety and improving quality of life after a hockey career should renew discussion to make fighting a game misconduct penalty in the NHL."
Simon is the latest former NHL tough guy to die at a young age, joining the likes of Bob Probert, Derek Boogaard, Wade Belak and Rick Rypien.
The differences in causes of death between the enforcers and their fellow players was striking, the 2023 study found.
Two neurodegenerative disorder deaths, two drug overdoses, three suicides and four vehicular crashes were attributed to the 331 players identified as enforcer/fighters, compared to just one car crash death among the age-matched control group.
Commenting on Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called Simon's death "tragic" but refrained from directly addressing the family's charges linking it to CTE.
"We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," Bettman said. "On all these matters we wait to see what the medical experts tell us.
"Having said that, I think it's well documented all the progress that we've made over the last couple of decades to make the game as safe as possible."
Once a staple of NHL games, fighting has seen a steep decline as the sport has become faster and more skilled -- but it's certainly not gone, with fisticuffs coming roughly every four or five games.
The league has seen some big tilts this season, most notably involving hulking six-foot-seven New York Rangers rookie Matt Rempe, who dropped the gloves four times in his first seven contests.
The NHL suspended Simon eight times during his career for a combined 65 games. Simon was hit with a 25-game ban when he was with the Islanders for a March 2007 cross-check to the face of Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg.
He was then forced to sit 30 games for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jarkko Ruutu that December.
Simon was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990 and shipped to Quebec as part of the Eric Lindros trade. He won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 before making the final with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.
Known for his fists in an era when staged fights and intimidation were big parts of NHL life, Simon could also put the puck in the net.
Simon, who was of Ojibwa heritage and proud of his Indigenous roots, registered 144 goals, including a career-high 29 with Washington in 1999-00, to go along with 161 assists for 305 points.
He added 10 goals, 17 points and 191 penalty minutes in 75 playoff contests.
This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.