Former NHL Player Greg Johnson Diagnosed with CTE Posthumously

Former NHL player Greg Johnson, who spent 14 seasons in the league, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease associated with repetitive head trauma in contact sports.

Johnson’s family and the Concussion Legacy Foundation made the announcement after Dr. Ann McKee, from the Boston University CTE Center, confirmed the diagnosis. Johnson, a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, passed away by suicide at the age of 48.

In a joint statement, Johnson’s daughter Carson urged the NHL to recognize the link between repeated brain trauma and CTE. She emphasized the importance of player safety and awareness to prevent future tragedies.

Having represented Team Canada at the Olympics in Lillehammer and played for the Nashville Predators, Johnson was known as a dedicated two-way forward during his NHL career.

The Boston University CTE Center has previously diagnosed CTE in several former NHL players, including Ralph Backstrom, Henri Richard, and Stan Mikita, highlighting the risks associated with head injuries in contact sports.

Despite mounting evidence, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, during a hearing in Ottawa, maintained that no conclusive link has been established between brain trauma and long-term neurological issues in hockey players.