The brain of Steve Montador, a former NHL player who died in February at age 35, was found to have widespread chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a disease associated with repeated hits to the head.
His family plans to sue the NHL for wrongful death, according to lawyers representing Montador’s estate.
Montador became the fifth former NHL player known to have had CTE, which can only be diagnosed posthumously. Among its symptoms are memory loss, depression and impulse control problems. Some show signs of progressive dementia.
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Several dozen former National Football League players have received diagnoses of CTE, which has long been associated with boxing. It has also been found in recent years in other athletes, including rugby union and soccer players.
Other former NHL players who were diagnosed with CTE include Reg Fleming, Rick Martin, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard. Boogaard’s family has a pending wrongful-death lawsuit against the NHL through Corboy & Demetrio, the Chicago law firm that is also representing the Montador family. A group of about 70 former NHL players have also sued the league, accusing the NHL of concealing the risks of concussions.
Montador, who played in the NHL for 10 years, and was known for rough play and his willingness to fight — he had 66 fights in his career — retired shortly after sustaining a serious concussion in 2012 while with the Chicago Blackhawks.
He was found dead in his home in Ontario in February. His cause of death has not been made public.
“The finding of widespread CTE 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.
“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,” he added.
Montador’s brain was examined at Krembil Neuroscience Centre at Toronto Western Hospital. Doctors described the “widespread presence” of CTE, which is caused by repetitive blows to the head — including subconcussive hits, those that might not register as injuries.
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