In a tragic turn of events, former NHL Player Chris Simon Dies on Monday night in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario. He was 52 years old. A spokesperson for the NHL Players’ Association, who had been in contact with Simon’s agent, confirmed the news.
On Wednesday, Simon’s family released a statement through his agent, Paul Theofanous, revealing that he had died by suicide. The family attributed his death to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. They requested privacy during this difficult time and expressed their appreciation for those who share in their tragic loss.
Simon had an impressive NHL career spanning 15 seasons from 1993 to 2008, playing 857 regular-season and playoff games. His physical style of play was well-known, as he engaged in over 100 fights and accumulated 1,824 penalty minutes, placing him 67th in NHL history.
Throughout his career, Simon had the privilege of winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and being part of runs to the final with the Washington Capitals in 1998 and the Calgary Flames in 2004. He also played for various other teams, including the Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders. After his NHL career, he spent five seasons in the KHL from 2008 to 2013 before retiring.
Former teammates and colleagues remembered Simon fondly. Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations and captain during their 1996 championship season, described him as a great guy, a beloved teammate, and an important part of their success. Sakic praised Simon’s on-ice skills, his presence in the dressing room, and his willingness to stand up for his teammates.
While Simon was respected and loved by his teammates and fans, he occasionally faced disciplinary action from the league. The NHL suspended him eight times for a total of 65 games, including a 25-game ban in March 2007 for cross-checking the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg in the face and a 30-game suspension in December of the same year for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu.
The hockey community mourns the loss of Chris Simon and extends its condolences to his family and loved ones during this challenging time. NHL Player Chris Simon Dies.
