Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died. He was 52.
Simon died Monday evening in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario, a spokesperson for the NHL Gamers’ Affiliation, who has been in contact with the late ahead’s agent, stated Tuesday. Paul Theofanous, who represented Simon, didn’t reply to a message in search of additional particulars and Ontario Provincial Police declined to reply questions on Simon’s dying. A reason for dying was not instantly out there.
Union spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon stated Simon’s youngsters and household have been grieving over the sudden loss.
Simon performed 857 regular-season and playoff video games over 15 NHL seasons from 1993-2008. Over his profession, he fought greater than 100 instances and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes to rank 67th in league historical past.
“For a giant robust participant, he was additionally a really sort, caring particular person who was at all times respectful and grateful for recommendation,” former agent Larry Kelly stated in a textual content message to The Related Press.
Simon received the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was a part of runs to the ultimate with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004. He additionally hung out with the Quebec Nordiques earlier than they grew to become the Avalanche and performed for Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota and the New York Rangers and Islanders, earlier than ending with 5 seasons within the KHL from 2008-13 and retiring.
“Chris was an incredible man, a beloved teammate and an necessary a part of our first championship season,” stated Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations who was captain when the crew received in 1996. “He was a extremely good hockey participant who might rating targets, was a giant presence within the dressing room and was the primary particular person to face up and defend his teammates. Off the ice, he was an unbelievable man and a caring father, son, brother and buddy.”
Simon on the ice was a revered teammate and fan favourite, although he often crossed the road and confronted supplemental self-discipline. The NHL suspended him eight instances totaling 65 video games, together with a 25-game ban in March 2007 whereas he was with the Islanders for cross-checking the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg within the face and 30 video games for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu that December.
Philadelphia drafted Simon within the second spherical of the 1990 draft and despatched him to the Nordiques as a part of the 1992 commerce that obtained the Flyers prized prospect Eric Lindros.
Simon, who was of Ojibwa descent, was thought of a job mannequin for First Nations hockey gamers throughout Canada.
“Chris Simon was most undoubtedly an intimidating man on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore posted on social media. “We spent a variety of time collectively throughout Flames ’04 run since we have been each residing within the lodge. … He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You’ll be missed.”
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