Another NHLer gets posthumously diagnosed with CTE after suicide

Former National Hockey League player Greg Johnson’s family and the Concussion Legacy Foundation have disclosed that the former forward has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the brain-withering disease linked to repetitive brain trauma in contact sports.

This has been reported by TSN’s Rick Westhead who noted that the statement from Johnson’s family and the Foundation was made five years after his death by suicide.

Johnson played 14 seasons in the league, notably with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators after he was selected in the second round, 33rd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1989.

“I had no idea what CTE even stood for when my dad took his life,” Johnson’s daughter, Carson said in a statement released by the Boston-based Concussion Legacy Foundation. “Now understanding that the hits he endured throughout his hockey career damaged his brain, I want all athletes to understand the risks and I want the NHL to start acknowledging it exists and do more to protect its players so other daughters don’t have to lose their fathers.”

Johnson was just 48 years old when he took his own life on July 7, 2019, by a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Rochester, Mich.

The solid two-way is another victim of CTE as public records show that “the brains of 17 of 18 NHL players studied in the U.S. and Canada have now been diagnosed with CTE, including Ralph Backstrom, Henri Richard, Stan Mikita, Bob Probert, Steve Montador, and Bob Murdoch. CTE has also been diagnosed in amateur players.”

When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke five years ago about concussions in sports, he maintained that no such association has been established in the league.

“Other than some anecdotal evidence, there has not been that conclusive link… there has not been conclusive determinations,” Bettman testified.

Johnson’s death and the fact that he has now been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy should get Bettman to wake the F up!