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Former NHL Winger Chris Simon Passes Away at 52
Former NHL winger Chris Simon passed away at the age of 52, as confirmed by his family in a statement released on Tuesday night. The family revealed that Simon died by suicide and strongly believed that he struggled immensely from CTE, which tragically led to his death.
The statement, provided by Simon’s former agent Paul Theofanous on behalf of his family, expressed their grief over the loss of their son, brother, father, partner, teammate, and friend. The entire Wawa community also mourns his passing. They requested privacy during this difficult time and refrained from releasing further details.
Simon was known for his physical style of play throughout his career, which spanned seven franchises. He was a member of the Quebec Nordiques, contributing to the team’s relocation to Denver and aiding the Avalanche in securing their first Stanley Cup in the 1995-96 season.
Avalanche president Joe Sakic paid tribute to Simon, describing him as a great teammate who made significant contributions to the team’s championship season. Off the ice, he was remembered as a caring individual and will be deeply missed.
The New York Islanders also honored Simon, acknowledging him as an embodiment of the team’s values both on and off the ice. The NHL Alumni Association praised his dedication to his teammates and highlighted his role as a beloved friend, father, brother, and son.
The NHL itself recognized Simon as a fierce competitor and teammate, expressing condolences on his passing. Throughout his career, Simon played for various teams, including the Washington Capitals, where he achieved personal milestones like scoring a career-high 29 goals in a single season.
After his time in the NHL, Simon continued his career in the KHL in Russia, becoming a two-time all-star. He concluded his NHL tenure with impressive stats, accumulating 1,824 penalty minutes and 305 points in 864 games.
Former teammate Mike Commodore reminisced about Simon’s intimidating presence on the ice, recalling their time together during the Flames’ 2004 run and praising Simon for his kindness. Many others in the hockey community have shared their respects for Simon, acknowledging his impact both on and off the ice.
Sources:
- Link to Mike Commodore’s social media post: Mike Commodore Post
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