The sudden passing of NHL “enforcer” Chris Simon, a formidable presence on the ice, has left the hockey community in mourning. Born in Wawa, Ontario, on January 30, 1972, Simon’s journey through the ranks of professional hockey is a testament to his resilience, skill, and the complex challenges he faced.
The family of the 52-year-old has confirmed that his death on March 18, 2024, was by suicide, attributing his suffering to brain trauma and suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition diagnosable only after death. However, advancements are being made for living diagnoses.
Over his 15-year tenure in the NHL from 1992 to 2008, the notable enforcer engaged in 101 brawls and accumulated 1,824 minutes in penalties across 782 games, celebrating a Stanley Cup victory with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
Significant disciplinary actions also marked his career. He received two of the NHL’s most severe suspensions. The first, a 25-game suspension during his time with the Islanders, was for striking Rangers player Ryan Hollweg with his stick in March 2007, spanned two seasons. The second, a 30-game suspension, was for stepping on Jarkko Ruutu’s leg in a game against the Penguins in December 2007.
Simon achieved 144 goals and 161 assists playing for several teams, including the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Rangers, and Islanders, concluding his NHL career with Minnesota in a playoff series against Colorado in April 2008. He continued to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the premier hockey league in Europe and Asia, participating in All-Star Games in 2010 and 2011 before retiring after the 2012-13 season.
Financial challenges followed, as reported by the Ottawa Citizen in 2017, revealing that Simon, despite earning an estimated $15 million during his NHL career, filed for bankruptcy and relied on social assistance and disability checks.
Simon’s post-career life was further complicated by health issues, including symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), depression, anxiety, PTSD, and arthritis, impacting his ability to work.
In a public statement, Simon’s family expressed their conviction that he was severely affected by CTE, leading to his untimely demise: “Our family has experienced firsthand Chris’s significant struggles with CTE, which, regrettably, brought about his passing.”
The family’s message continued, expressing their profound sorrow and the shared mourning with their community: “As we mourn the loss of a son, brother, father, partner, teammate, and friend, the entire community of Wawa joins us in our sorrow. We request privacy during this immensely challenging period and are grateful for the condolences shared by many, acknowledging our profound loss.”
His passing was mourned by former teammates and the wider NHL community, with heartfelt tributes shared on social media, highlighting his menacing presence on the ice and his caring demeanor. Mike Commodore, a defenseman who teamed up with Simon during their time in Calgary, described him on “X” as an imposing figure on the ice but an exceptional individual and teammate. Commodore recounted their shared experiences during the Flames’ 2004 campaign, noting that despite Simon’s fearsome reputation, he showed incredible kindness, especially during their shared accommodations. Commodore’s farewell message, “RIP Chris. You will be missed,” speaks volumes of the bond they formed
He is survived by four children from his second marriage to Valerie, from whom he divorced in 2017.
