The family of the late NHL player, Chris Simon, confirmed that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy “serious” (CTE) at his death by suicide last year.
Simon, who was 52 when he died, was a long -standing executor in the NHL and frequently fought during his 15 -year career.
And while the family had already believed that Simon had suffered from CTE, this theory was confirmed this week when she published the analysis of Simon’s brain tissues with the foundation of the legacy of concussion.
“Chris was suffering a lot from the CTE,” the family said in a statement. “We saw him decrease but did not know where we turn to get help. Chris’ short -term memory problems were underway for many years. We have also lost most of its hearing, daily headaches, from light sensitivity, paranoia, were easily frustrated by tasks, had extreme anxiety, difficulties to sail in a vehicle, apathy – lack of feeling and emotion, impulsiveness, to distant those who meant him, had thoughts of executive dysfunction – meaning that he could not plan or problematic and that he had suicidal thoughts.
“Chris really moved away from his family and friends in the last three years of his life. It was extremely difficult for us, because the Chris we have known had left for some time. With hindsight, we now realize that Chris probably started to suffer from CTE at the end of the twenties in the early 1930s. Our whole family suffered for many years when we saw our son, brother, father, husband move away from us and we could not do anything to help him.
“Before losing Chris because of the CTE, he was a very sweet and loving man whose family meant the world for him. We know that Chris would like more than everything the old players and families now know where to turn to get help if they suspect that their loved one suffers from TBI, PC and CTE so that they can get the support they desperately need.
The analysis of the brain banner unit from the Boston University Cte Center, to which Simon’s brain was given, diagnosed Simon with a three -stage stadium (out of four).
The former NHL executor Chris Simon died at the age of 52 in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario,
Simon fought more than 100 times and accumulated 1,824 minutes of penalty during his career
‘M. Simon had a severe pathology in the brain areas involved in cognition and mood regulation, and it is probably contributed to his memory problems, depression and apathy, ” said Dr Ann McKee, head of neuropathology of the health system VA Boston and director of the Boston University Cte Center and Unite Brain Bank.
A 2024 BU study revealed that The chances of developing a CTE increased by 34% for each year of hockey played.
Other hockey players like Bobby Hull, Ralph Backstrom, Stan Mikita, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard were also diagnosed posthumous with CTE.
Simon died on March 18 of last year in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario, NHL spokesperson confirmed at the time.
Simon has played 857 regular season games and eliminating series out of 15 NHL seasons from 1993 to 2008. During his career, he fought more than 100 times and accumulated 1,824 minutes of penalty to rank 67th in the history of the league.
He too
He scored 161 goals and provided 168 assists during his career.
Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was one of the races to the final with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.
He also spent time with the Nordiques du Québec before becoming the avalanche and played for Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota and the Rangers and Islanders of New York, before finishing with five seasons in the KHL from 2008 to 23 and retire.
More to follow
For the support, call the Samaritans at 116123 in the United Kingdom or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-apport, or call suicide & Crifeline lifeline out of 988 in the United States.
