DENVER (KDVR) — A newly released analysis found that Chris Simon, a former NHL hockey player, had stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, when he died in 2024.
Simon was a well-known NHL player, tallying over 15 seasons from 1993-2008. He won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and played with several other teams throughout his time in the NHL. Also during his time, he was suspended eight times, totaling 65 games, and fought more than 100 times, racking up 1,824 penalty minutes, ranking 67th in league history.
Simon was 52 years old when he died by suicide, and after his death, his family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center, the Concussion Legacy Foundation said. Simon’s family released the results of the post-mortem brain tissue analysis on Monday, which diagnosed Simon with stage three, out of four, CTE.
CTE is partly caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries, which can ultimately develop symptoms like aggression, mood swings, paranoia, anxiety, depression and other symptoms that often appear later in life, according to the foundation.
“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, chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the Boston University CTE Center and UNITE Brain Bank.
That said, the foundation said that suicide is complex, and a post-mortem CTE diagnosis can’t be confirmed as the cause of suicide.
Simon’s family, his parents Linda and John Simon and sister Charlee Simon, said Chris had been “suffering tremendously” and estimated that Chris had likely started suffering from CTE in his late 20s and early 30s.
“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,” the family said in a statement.
The family also said this diagnosis brings them closure, however, they’re still angry.
“The unfortunate feeling of anger is also present due to the negligence of a professional league turning a blind eye to CTE and other significant brain injuries sustained in the sport of hockey,” said the family.
If you or someone you know is struggling with CTE symptoms, the CLF HelpLine has free support for patients and families with peer support, resources and doctor recommendations to experts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
