Steve Montador's family plans to sue NHL: reports

The family of late former NHL player Steve Montadorplans to sue the league, according to multiple reports Tuesday,after the discovery that he suffered fromchronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition that has been linked to concussions.

Montadorwas found deadin February at his home in the Toronto area.The veteran of more than 600 NHL regular-season and playoff gameswas 35 years old.

CTE was found inMontador'sbrain by doctors at Toronto'sKrembilNeuroscience Centre. The formerdefencemanhad agreed before his death to donatehis brain for research.

Project head Dr. Charles Tator saidanautopsy showed the widespread presence of CTE throughout Montador's brain.

A lawyer forthe Montador family claimedthe damage was caused by hits Montadortook while playing in the NHL.

"TheMontadorfamily's suspicions have been confirmed: SteveMontador's35-year-old brain was decaying due to the head hits he endured during his NHL career," attorney WilliamGibbsof the Chicago-basedfirm Corboy & Demetriosaid in a statement. "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."

The NHL said in a statement that the league's "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," the league said.

Montador played for Calgary, Florida, Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo and Chicago. He had arranged for his brain to be donated to the Krembil Neuroscience Centre upon his death.

The Sports Concussion Project has analyzed the brains of 16 athletes, with roughly half showing signs of CTE or the presence of another neurodegenerative disease.

Gibbs also represents the family of deceased former NHL player Derek Boogaard, and has filed a wrongful-death lawsuitagainst the NHL on their behalf. Boogaard'sfamily saysthe league contributed to brain injuries he suffered as well as his addiction to prescription painkillers. That case is still in litigation.

The NHL is alsobeing sued by a group of former playersseeking unspecified damages and medical monitoring for neurological disorders that they say are the result of concussions during their careers.The former playersarguethe league had the knowledge and resources to better prevent head trauma, failed to properly warn players of such risks, and promoted violent play that led to their injuries.