Five years after his death, the family of former NHL player Greg Johnson has revealed that he was diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Johnson, who died by suicide in 2019, had a 14-season career in the NHL, playing 785 regular-season games for four different teams.
Johnson's daughter, Carson, issued a statement urging the NHL and its players to recognize the dangers of repeated head trauma and take necessary precautions.
Despite mounting evidence linking CTE to repeated brain trauma from hits and fights in hockey, the NHL has consistently denied any connection, labeling the evidence as anecdotal and incomplete. A study of 18 players in Canada and the US revealed that 17 had CTE, including notable names like Ralph Backstrom, Henri Richard, Stan Mikita, Bob Probert, Steve Montador, and Bob Murdoch, in addition to Johnson.
Throughout his NHL career, Johnson played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Nashville Predators. He also earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the 1991 World Juniors. His diagnosis adds to the growing list of hockey players affected by CTE, highlighting the urgent need for the NHL to address the issue more comprehensively.
