The family of late NHL player Chris Simon have confirmed that he had ‘severe’ chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died by suicide last year.
Simon, who was 52 when he passed, was a longtime enforcer in the NHL and frequently fought during his 15-year-career.
And while the family had previously believed Simon suffered from CTE, that theory was confirmed this week when they released Simon’s brain tissue analysis along with the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
‘Chris was suffering tremendously from CTE,’ his family said in a statement. ‘We saw him declining but did not know where to turn to for help. Chris’ short term memory issues were ongoing for many years. We also learned that he had lost most of his hearing, had daily headaches, light sensitivity, paranoia, was easily frustrated with tasks, had extreme anxiety, difficulty navigating in a vehicle, apathy- lack of feeling and emotion, impulsivity, distancing himself from those who meant the most to him, had executive dysfunction – meaning he couldn’t plan or problem solve and he had suicidal thoughts at times.
‘Chris really distanced himself from his family and friends the last three years of his life. This has been extremely difficult on us, as the Chris we knew had been gone for quite some time. Looking back we now realize that Chris likely started suffering from CTE in his late 20s to early 30s. Our entire family suffered for many years as we saw our son, brother, father, husband slip away from us and we couldn’t do anything to help him.
‘Before we lost Chris to CTE, he was a very gentle, loving man whose family meant the world to him. We know that Chris would want more than anything that former players and families now know where to turn to for help if they suspect their loved one is suffering from TBI, PCS and CTE so they can get the support they desperately need.
Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon died at the age of 52 in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario
Simon fought more than 100 times and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes during his career
The analysis from the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center, to which Simon’s brain was donated, diagnosed Simon with stage three CTE (out of four).
‘Mr. Simon had severe CTE pathology in areas of the brain involved with cognition and mood regulation, and it is likely CTE contributed to his memory problems, depression, and apathy,’ said Dr. Ann McKee, who is chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the Boston University CTE Center and UNITE Brain Bank.
A 2024 BU study found that the odds of developing CTE increased by 34 percent for each year of hockey played.
Other hockey players like Bobby Hull, Ralph Backstrom, Stan Mikita, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard have also been posthumously diagnosed with CTE.
Simon died on March 18 last year in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario, a spokesperson for the NHL confirmed at the time.
Simon played 857 regular-season and playoff games over 15 NHL seasons from 1993-2008. Over his career, he fought more than 100 times and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes to rank 67th in league history.
Simon (left) missed a total of 65 games during his career due to suspensions from the league
George Parros is flipped over during a fight with Simon during a game in Calgary in 2006
He was also suspended eight times during his career, missing a total of 65 games – including a 30-game absence for stomping on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jarkko Ruut with his skate in 2007.
Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was part of runs to the final with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.
He also spent time with the Quebec Nordiques before they became the Avalanche and played for Chicago , Calgary, Minnesota and the New York Rangers and Islanders, before finishing with five seasons in the KHL from 2008-13 and retiring.
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support , or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.
