The NHL does not appear to have changed its position on the link between chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and repeated blows to the head.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told NHL Insider Frank Seravalli. The NHL has not changed its position on degenerative brain diseases, saying “the science is still lacking.”
This comes amid renewed attention to the issue following the suicide of former NHL enforcement official Chris Simon this week at the age of 52.
“The family strongly believes, and has witnessed firsthand, that Chris suffered greatly from CTE, which unfortunately led to his death,” the family of the former Islanders and Rangers forward said in a statement through his former agent.
CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, and his family’s claims cannot be proven with certainty unless his brain is donated and examined by scientific researchers.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league has made “progress” in making hockey safer for players.
“Chris’s death is tragic and sad,” Bettman said Wednesday in Florida. According to Seravalli. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. And, as you know, we await the opinion of medical experts on all these matters.
“That being said, I think all the progress we’ve made over the last few years has been well documented.” [of] We’ve spent decades making our games as safe as possible. ”
Simon previously told an Ottawa court when he filed for bankruptcy in 2017 that he was unable to work due to injuries sustained during his hockey career.
The former NHL tough guy said in a court filing that he has symptoms of CTE, which is “believed to result from significant brain trauma during his hockey career.” The National Post reported at the time.
Simon said he was also dealing with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, symptoms associated with CTE.
National Institutes of Health Signed in 2022 Repetitive traumatic brain injury causes CTE.
following year, Research conducted by Columbia University A study of more than 6,000 NHL players from 1967 to 2022 found that those who played more than 50 games in their careers “died an average of 10 years earlier than their less athletic players.” did.
The researchers also found that “enforcers,” or players who played more than 50 games during their NHL career, were “more likely to die from suicide or drug overdose, which is common among people with CTE.”
Simon fought over 100 times during his NHL career.
Martial arts is gaining attention again, especially in New York, as the Rangers’ Matt Lempe wrestled in a ton of scraps early in his NHL career.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit the following link: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
