this is beginning to make players not want to fight anymore ...
Steve Montador Had C.T.E.; Family to Sue N.H.L.
By JOHN BRANCH
<time datetime="2015-05-12" itemprop="datePublished" content="2015-05-12">MAY 12, 2015</time>
Steve Montador in 2012, a year in which he sustained a debilitating concussion. He died in February.CreditJonathan Daniel/Getty Images
The brain of Steve Montador, a former N.H.L. player who
died in February at age 35, was found to have widespread chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E., a disease associated with repeated hits to the head.
His family plans to sue the N.H.L., lawyers representing Montador’s estate said.
Montador is the fifth former N.H.L. player known to have had C.T.E., which
can be diagnosed only posthumously. Among its symptoms are memory loss, depression and problems with impulse control. Some with the disease show signs of progressive dementia.
Montador, a 10-year N.H.L. veteran known for his rough play and his willingness to fight, retired not long after sustaining a debilitating concussion in 2012 while with the
Chicago Blackhawks. Montador, who also played for Calgary, Florida, Anaheim, Boston and Buffalo, was found dead in his home in Ontario in February. His cause of death has not been made public.
“Our thoughts, condolences and prayers remain with Steve’s family and friends,” the N.H.L. said in a statement Tuesday. “However, we do not agree that the reports and allegations made today establish any link between Steve’s death and his N.H.L. career.”
Several dozen former N.F.L. players have been found to have had C.T.E., which was long associated with boxing. It has also been found in recent years in other kinds of athletes, including rugby and soccer players.
The other former N.H.L. players who are publicly known to have had C.T.E. are
Reg Fleming,
Bob Probert,
Rick Martin and
Derek Boogaard. Boogaard’s family has a
pending wrongful-death lawsuit against the N.H.L. through Corboy & Demetrio, the Chicago law firm that is representing the Montador family. Boogaard died in 2011 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and prescription painkillers.
A group of about 70 former N.H.L. players
have also sued the league, accusing it of concealing the risks of concussions.
“The finding of widespread C.T.E. in Steven’s brain helps us all better understand that his brain was ravaged by disease and he was unable to control it,” Montador’s father, Paul, said in a statement.
Paul Montador added, “He always knew that there might be black eyes, broken bones and soft tissue injuries — but he never anticipated that playing the game he loved would result in such devastating impairment of his brain function.”
Steve Montador’s brain was examined at Krembil Neuroscience Centre at Toronto Western Hospital. Doctors described the “widespread presence” of C.T.E., which is caused by repetitive blows to the head, including subconcussive hits (those that might not register as injuries).
