Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon – who fought over 100 times and racked up 1,824 penalty minutes – dies aged 52

Former NHL player Chris Simon has died at the age of 52.

Simon died Monday evening in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario, an NHL Players’ Association spokesperson said Tuesday.

Paul Theofanous, who represented Simon, did not respond to a message seeking more details and the Ontario Provincial Police declined to answer questions about Simon’s death. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Union spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon said Simon’s children and family were grieving the sudden loss.

Simon played in 857 regular season and playoff games over 15 NHL seasons from 1993 to 2008. During his career, he fought over 100 times and accumulated 1,824 penalty minutes for ranking 67th in league history.

Simon fought over 100 times and accumulated 1,824 penalty minutes during his career

“For a very tough player, he was also a very kind and caring person, always respectful and grateful for his advice,” said former agent Larry Kelly.

Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and appeared in the finals with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.

He also spent time with the Quebec Nordiques before they became the Avalanche and played for Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota and the New York Rangers and Islanders, before finishing with five seasons in the KHL from 2008 to 2013 and retire.

“Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season,” said Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations who was captain when the team won in 1996.

“He was a very good hockey player who could score goals, he was very present in the locker room and he was the first to stand up and defend his teammates. Off the ice, he was an incredible guy and a caring father, son, brother and friend.

Simon on the ice was a respected teammate and fan favorite, even if he occasionally crossed the finish line and faced additional discipline.

Simon (left) occasionally crossed the finish line and faced extra discipline for his fights.

George Parros is knocked down during a fight with Simon during a game in Calgary in 2006

The NHL suspended him eight times for a total of 65 games, including a 25-game ban in March 2007 while he was with the Islanders for cross-checking the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg in the face and 30 games for stomping the leg of Jarkko Ruutu of Pittsburgh. December.

Philadelphia drafted Simon in the second round of the 1990 draft and sent him to the Nordiques as part of the 1992 trade that landed prized Flyers prospect Eric Lindros.

Simon, of Ojibwe descent, was considered a role model for First Nations hockey players across Canada.

“Chris Simon was definitely an intimidating guy on the ice,” former teammate Mike Commodore said on social media.

“We spent a lot of time together during the Flames’ ’04 run since we were both living in the hotel. … He couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. We’ll miss you.’

For help, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org Or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States.