MAJOR | Former NHL enforcer passes away suddenly at fifty-two: Renowned agent heavily blames Gary Bettman
Once one of the most feared players in the NHL, Chris Simon has died at 52.
He was drafted in 1990 and, played 782 games, and racked up 1824 penalty minutes.
Simon was a fighter before he came into the NHL, and again, when he moved on to the KHL, he accrued over 500 PIMS in his first three seasons in Russia.
The NHL suspended him for 65 games throughout his career, including incidents that led to 25 and 30-game bans.
But the bruising forward could also play the game, even nearing 30 goals and 50 points one season with the Capitals.
While a cause of death wasn't shared, there has already been speculation that CTE from Simon's bruising career could have been a factor.
After his career, Simon fell on hard times and filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
In bankruptcy documents, a doctor cited that Simon suffered from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and arthritis.
Notoriously vocal player agent Allan Walsh said this is another player whose "blood is on Gary's hands."
Walsh says Bettman needs to fess up to hockey's role in CTE in former players but doesn't offer any ideas to fix the problem.
Simon is one of too many former NHL enforcers who has died too young after suffering from the long-term effects of repeated head trauma.
A former Canuck enforcer, Rick Rypien, was found dead in his home after several seasons with the team and was slated to start a one-year deal with Winnipeg.
Former tough guy Daniel Carcillo pointed out how familiar stories like Rypien and Simon's have become.
Simon joins a long list of NHL players who have died too young and will be missed.
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