Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon, known for his imposing presence on the ice, has tragically passed away at the age of 52. His death was confirmed by his family, who revealed that he died by suicide on Monday night. The family attributed his struggles to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disorder often associated with repeated head trauma.
Simon’s career spanned 15 seasons in the NHL, during which he amassed over 1,800 penalty minutes in 782 games. Renowned for his physical style of play, he was suspended multiple times throughout his career, totaling 65 games. Despite the controversies, he was celebrated for his contributions to the teams he played for, including winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
Ted Nolan, who coached Simon during his time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the New York Islanders, remembered him fondly, describing him as a player with “size, skill, talent, and above all, a heart of gold.”
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In addition to Simon, the hockey world also mourned the loss of former Belarusian player Konstantin Koltsov, who passed away at the age of 42. Koltsov, who was coaching in the Kontinental Hockey League, died in Florida according to police.
As news of Simon’s death spread, former teammates and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to him, highlighting his impact both on and off the ice. Mike Commodore, who played alongside Simon in Calgary, remembered him as “an intimidating guy on the ice” and “hell of a player.”
The NHL released a statement expressing condolences to Simon’s family, friends, and former teammates, acknowledging his ferocious competitiveness and contributions to the sport.
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