Former NHL Enforcer Chris Simon Has Died At Age 52 – News18

Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died. He was 52.

Simon died Monday evening in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario, a spokesperson for the NHL Players’ Association who has been in contact with the late ahead’s agent, mentioned Tuesday.

Simon died by suicide, his household mentioned Wednesday.

Simon’s household blamed his dying on CTE, the degenerative mind illness power traumatic encephalopathy, in an announcement launched by agent Paul Theofanous. “We will not be releasing any further details at this time and ask for privacy during this very difficult time,” the household wrote. “We appreciate everyone who shares in our tragic loss.”

There’s no approach to affirm CTE whereas an individual is alive, although docs can establish suspected instances based mostly on signs and neurological exams.

Simon performed 857 common-season and playoff video games over 15 NHL seasons from 1993-2008. Over his profession, he fought greater than 100 occasions and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes to rank 67th in league historical past.

“For a big tough player, he was also a very kind, caring individual who was always respectful and grateful for advice,” former agent Larry Kelly mentioned in a textual content message to The Associated Press.

Simon received the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was a part of runs to the ultimate with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004. He additionally frolicked with the Quebec Nordiques earlier than they turned the Avalanche and performed for Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota and the New York Rangers and Islanders, earlier than ending with 5 seasons within the KHL from 2008-13 and retiring.

“Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season,” mentioned Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations who was captain when the staff received in 1996. “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. Off the ice, he was an unbelievable guy and a caring father, son, brother and friend.”

Simon on the ice was a revered teammate and fan favourite, although he sometimes crossed the road and confronted supplemental self-discipline. The NHL suspended him eight occasions totaling 65 video games, together with a 25-sport ban in March 2007 whereas he was with the Islanders for cross-checking the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg within the face and 30 video games for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu that December.

Philadelphia drafted Simon within the second spherical of the 1990 draft and despatched him to the Nordiques as a part of the 1992 commerce that obtained the Flyers prized prospect Eric Lindros.

Simon, who was of Ojibwa descent, was thought of a task mannequin for First Nations hockey gamers throughout Canada.

“Chris Simon was most definitely an intimidating guy on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media. “We spent a lot of time together during Flames ’04 run since we were both living in the hotel. … He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You will be missed.”

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This story consists of dialogue of suicide. If you or somebody wants assist, please name the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)