[Flash Walken]

From a few months ago:

Researchers who autopsied the brain of former NHL defenceman Steve Montador have discovered he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the progressively degenerative disease that’s been linked to repeated blows to the head.

Montador, who died in February at age 35 of an undisclosed cause, had sustained multiple concussions during his hockey career and had been exhibiting signs of a possible brain disorder, including depression, memory problems and erratic behaviour.

His brain was donated after his death for analysis to the Canadian Sports Concussion Project at Toronto’s Krembil Neuroscience Centre, and researchers confirmed the diagnosis of CTE on Tuesday.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator, head of the project, said the analysis of Montador’s brain showed he had widespread deposits of a protein called hyperphosphorylated tau. The abnormal protein in brain cells is a marker for CTE.

“And he had a lot of it,” said Tator.

In the wake of the announcement, Montador’s family said they plan to launch a lawsuit against the NHL, saying in a statement on their lawyer’s website that “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.”

William Gibbs, an attorney at the Chicago-based firm Corboy & Demetrio, said on the website that the neuropathological analysis confirmed the family’s suspicions that Montador’s brain was “decaying due to the head hits he endured during his NHL career.”

“CTE has afflicted yet another young athlete and his family. It is heartbreaking that such a vibrant young man sustained such monumental brain damage while playing a professional sport,” said Gibbs.

The league reacted to the potential lawsuit in an emailed statement: “The NHL family shares in the sorrow of one of our own losing his life prematurely, and our thoughts, condolences and prayers remain with Steve’s family and friends. However, we do not agree that the reports and allegations made today establish any link between Steve’s death and his NHL career.”

Gibbs’s firm is also representing the family of Derek Boogaard in their lawsuit against the NHL. The 28-year-old former enforcer died in 2011 of an apparently accidental overdose of alcohol and painkillers. Despite his young age, a brain autopsy found Boogaard already had severe CTE.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle24392707/

Looks like This could be one of the Concussions during his tenure as a blackhawk.