The hockey world is mourning the loss of Chris Simon, a fierce competitor and beloved teammate, who passed away Monday night at the age of 52 in his hometown of Wawa, Ontario.

The news of his death was confirmed by the NHL Players’ Association and several of his former teams on Tuesday.

Simon, known for his tough play on the ice, had an impressive 15-year career in the NHL, playing for seven different franchises.

He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990 and went on to play for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild.

Throughout his 782 career NHL games, Simon scored 144 goals and 305 points while amassing 1,824 penalty minutes, ranking him 67th in league history.

He was suspended eight times during his career, including a 30-game suspension for stomping on an opponent’s leg and a 25-game suspension for a two-handed swing to the face of another player.

Despite his tough exterior on the ice, Simon was remembered by his teammates and colleagues as a kind and caring individual off the ice.

“Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season,” said Joe Sakic, the Colorado Avalanche’s president of hockey operations and former captain during Simon’s time with the team.

Simon, who was of Ojibwa descent, was also considered a role model for First Nations hockey players across Canada. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in their inaugural 1996 season and played in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Capitals in 1998 and the Flames in 2004.

After his NHL career ended in 2008, Simon spent six seasons playing in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia before retiring.

Chris Simon playing in the NHL

In recent years, he had been dealing with personal struggles, including filing for bankruptcy in 2017 and suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical ailments related to his playing career.

The cause of Simon’s death has not been publicly disclosed, and his family is requesting privacy during this difficult time. The hockey community has come together to offer condolences and share memories of the impact Simon had on and off the ice.

“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Chris Simon, who played in more than 800 NHL games over 15 seasons,” the NHL said in a statement. “Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and former teammates.”

As the hockey world remembers Chris Simon, his legacy as a fierce competitor, dedicated teammate, and caring individual will live on.

Rest in peace, Chris.