2024-03-19 21:18:59
Chris Simon, once one of hockey’s most feared strongmen, has died at age 52.
The NHL Players’ Association confirmed the news, through Simon’s family, that he died Monday evening. The cause of death was not provided.
The six-foot-three, 232-pound forward from Wawa, Ontario, has logged 1,824 penalty minutes in the National League in 782 games.
Simon played with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild.
The NHLPA said in an email Tuesday confirming Simon’s death that “his children and family are mourning the sudden loss of their father, son, brother, friend and teammate.”
The NHL suspended Simon eight times for a total of 65 games. He received a 25-game sanction with the Islanders for a double check against Ryan Hollweg of the Rangers in March 2007.
Simon also received 30 games for stomping on the leg of Jarkko Ruutu of the Pittsburgh Penguins in December of the same year.
Drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990 and sent to Quebec in the Eric Lindros trade, Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996.
He also played in the final with Washington in 1998 and with Calgary in 2004.
Simon, from the Ojibwe Nation, scored 144 goals and 305 points in the NHL.
He set a career high with 29 goals in 1999-00 with the Capitals.
He added 10 goals, 17 points and 191 penalty minutes in 75 games during the playoffs.
Simon played parts of five seasons in the KHL after his last NHL stop with Minnesota, in 2007-08.
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