Chris Simon, a 15-year NHL veteran who had stints with the New York Rangers and Islanders, died by suicide Monday. He was 52.
Simon died at his home in Wawa, Ontario, according to his agent. His family said in a statement they believed brain injuries suffered during his playing career led to Simon’s decision to take his own life.
“The family strongly believes, and witnessed firsthand, that Chris struggled immensely from CTE which unfortunately resulted in his death,” the statement read. “We will not be releasing any further details at this time and ask for privacy during this very difficult time. We appreciate everyone who shares in our tragic loss.”
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy can only be officially diagnosed after death. It has been studied most extensively in ex-football players. In 2017, a Boston University found CTE in the brains of 99% of former NFL players whose brains they examined.
During his playing career, Simon was known as an enforcer. He finished his NHL time with 1,824 penalty minutes, 67th-most in the league’s history. With the Islanders from 2006 to 2008, Simon was handed two of the longest suspensions in league history.
“He was a really good hockey player who could score goals, was a big presence in the dressing room and was the first person to stand up and defend his teammates,” ex-teammate Joe Sakic said. “Off the ice, he was an unbelievable guy and a caring father, son, brother and friend.”
Simon was drafted in 1990 by the Philadelphia Flyers but traded to the Quebec Nordiques in 1992 as part of the massive Eric Lindros deal. Simon was on the team when they moved from Quebec City to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avs at the end of the 1995-96 season.
Following that season, Simon was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he would play for seven years. After his time in Washington ended, he bounced between the Chicago Blackhawks, Rangers, Calgary Flames, Islanders and Minnesota Wild across the final five seasons of his NHL career.
“Chris Simon was most definitely an intimidating guy on the ice,” his former teammate Mike Commodore wrote on social media. “He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You will be missed.”
With News Wire Services
