Former NHL player Chris Simon died by suicide aged 52 as his family say Stanley Cup winner ‘struggled immensely’ in battle with CTE in heartbreaking statement

Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died by suicide at the age of 52, his family announced.

In a heartbreaking statement, they said Simon “struggled immensely” in his battle with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.

“The family believes and has seen firsthand Chris’ tremendous struggle with CTE, which unfortunately resulted in his death,” read the statement from Simon’s former agent, Paul Theofanous, on behalf of Simon’s family.

“We mourn the loss of our son, brother, father, partner, teammate and friend. The entire Wawa community shares in our grief.

‘We are not releasing any further details at this time and ask for privacy at this very difficult time. We appreciate everyone who shares in our tragic loss.”

Simon fought more than 100 times and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes during his career

Simon died Monday evening in his hometown of Wawa, Ont., a spokesperson for the NHL Players’ Association said Tuesday.

Simon played 857 regular season and playoff games over 15 NHL seasons from 1993-2008. During his career, he fought more than 100 times and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes, ranking 67th in league history.

“For a big, tough player, he was also a very kind, caring person who was always respectful and grateful for advice,” said former agent Larry Kelly.

Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was part of the runs to the finals with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.

He also spent time with the Quebec Nordiques before they became the Avalanche and played for Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota and the New York Rangers and Islanders before finishing five seasons in the KHL from 2008 to 2013 and retiring.

“Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season,” said Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations who was captain when the team won in 1996.

“He was a very good hockey player who could score goals, was a big presence in the locker room and was the first to stand up and defend his teammates. Off the ice he was an incredible guy and a caring father, son, brother and friend.”

Simon (left) occasionally crossed the line and received extra discipline for his fights

George Parros is turned during a fight with Simon during a match in Calgary in 2006

Simon on the ice was a respected teammate and fan favorite, although he occasionally crossed the line and faced additional discipline.

The NHL suspended him eight times for a total of 65 games, including a 25-game suspension in March 2007 while with the Islanders for face-checking the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg and 30 games for punching the leg of Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu stomped that December.

Philadelphia drafted Simon in the second round of the 1990 draft and sent him to the Nordiques as part of the 1992 trade that netted the Flyers’ prized prospect Eric Lindros.

Simon, who was of Ojibwa descent, was considered a role model for First Nations hockey players across Canada.

“Chris Simon was definitely an intimidating man on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media.

“We spent a lot of time together during the Flames ’04 run because we both lived in the hotel. … He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You will be missed.”

For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.