Former NHL winger Chris Simon has died on the age of 52. His household confirmed his demise was a suicide in an announcement launched Tuesday night.
“The household strongly believes and has witnessed firsthand Chris’ super battle with CTE, which sadly resulted in his demise,” mentioned the assertion from Simon’s former agent, Paul Theofanous, on behalf of Simon’s household.
“We mourn the lack of our son, brother, father, companion, teammate and good friend. Your entire Wawa neighborhood shares in our grief.
We’re not releasing any additional particulars at the moment and ask for privateness at this very tough time. We respect everybody who shares in our tragic loss.”
Simon was identified for his bodily enjoying fashion all through his profession, which spanned seven completely different franchises. As a member of the Quebec Nordiques, he contributed to the staff’s transition to Denver and performed an important position within the Avalanche securing their first Stanley Cup victory within the 1995–96 season.
“Chris was an awesome man, a beloved teammate and an essential a part of our first championship season,” Avalanche president Joe Sakic mentioned in an announcement.
“He was an excellent hockey participant who may rating targets, was an enormous presence within the locker room and was the primary individual to face up and defend his teammates. Off the ice he was an unbelievable man and a caring father, son, brother and good friend. He shall be tremendously missed.”
The islanders posted the next on social media:
Simon “embodied what it means to be an Islander, somebody who wore his coronary heart on his sleeve each on the ice and in the neighborhood.”
In accordance with the NHL Alumni Affiliation social media publish:
“Chris was by no means afraid to face up for his teammates and performed a key position within the locker room. He was a beloved good friend, father, brother and son.”
The NHL referred to as Simon a “fierce competitor and teammate” and supplied its condolences in an announcement launched Tuesday.
Extra about Chris Simon
Simon spent most of his profession with the Washington Capitals, recording a career-high of 29 targets and 49 factors through the 1999–2000 season. Throughout his profession, he additionally performed for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Islanders and Minnesota Wild.
“Chris Simon was positively an intimidating man on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media.
“We spent lots of time collectively through the Flames ’04 run, as we each lived within the lodge. … He could not have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You can be missed.”
Simon concluded his NHL profession through the 2007-08 season after which spent the following 5 seasons within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, the place he gained recognition as a two-time All-Star.
With 1,824 penalty minutes and 305 factors collected over 864 video games, Simon left a long-lasting mark on the NHL as he concluded his profession.
