Former NHL winger Chris Simon dies at 52

Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died at 52. His family confirmed he died by suicide in an announcement launched Tuesday night time time.

“The family strongly believes and witnessed firsthand, that Chris struggled immensely from CTE which sadly resulted in his lack of life,” the assertion, provided by Simon’s former agent, Paul Theofanous, on behalf of Simon’s family, study.

“We’re grieving with the shortage of our son, brother, father, companion, teammate and pal. All of the Wawa group is sharing in our grief. We isn’t going to be releasing any extra particulars in the meanwhile and ask for privateness all through this very robust time. We admire everyone who shares in our tragic loss.”

Simon was acknowledged for his physicality in a occupation that observed him play for seven franchises. A member of the Quebec Nordiques, he was part of the employees that relocated to Denver and helped the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup in franchise historic previous via the 1995-96 season.

“Chris was a great man, a beloved teammate and important part of our first championship season,” Avalanche president Joe Sakic said in an announcement. “He was a extraordinarily good hockey participant who could score targets, was an infinite presence inside the dressing room and was the first particular person to face up and defend his teammates. Off the ice he was an unbelievable man and a caring father, son, brother, and pal. He’ll in all probability be sorely missed.”

The Islanders posted on social media that Simon “epitomized what it means to be an Islander, any individual who wore his coronary coronary heart on his sleeve every on the ice and within the neighborhood.”

The NHL generally known as Simon a “fierce competitor and teammate.” The NHL Alumni Affiliation’s social media account study: “Chris was certainly not afraid to face up for his teammates, and carried out a key operate inside the dressing room. He was a beloved pal, father, brother, and son.”

Simon spent the vast majority of his occupation with the Washington Capitals and scored a career-high 29 targets and 49 elements via the 1999-2000 season. He would moreover play for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Islanders and Minnesota Wild over his occupation.

“Chris Simon was most undoubtedly an intimidating man on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media. “We spent a great deal of time collectively all through Flames ’04 run since we had been every residing inside the lodge. … He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You may be missed.”

Simon remaining carried out inside the NHL inside the 2007-08 season sooner than spending the following 5 seasons having fun with inside the KHL in Russia, the place he grew to grow to be a two-time all-star.

Simon accomplished his NHL occupation with 1,824 penalty minutes and 305 elements in 864 video video games.