The NHL’s Deadly Denial: The Dangers of Hockey

Todd Ewen, a former professional hockey player, took his own life in September 2015. Before his death, he confided in his wife, Kelli, that he feared he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE—a neurodegenerative disease that most experts agree is linked to repetitive head trauma. Kelli sent his brain to neuropathologist Lili-Naz Hazrati to be analyzed. Six months later, Hazrati called with shocking results: Ewen did not have CTE. The NHL seized on these results in its defense against a class-action suit brought by former players for the league’s negligence regarding head injuries. Hazrati acted as an expert witness for the NHL. In her expert report and a subsequent deposition, she claimed there was no link between CTE and head trauma and that CTE was not a disease at all. Kelli remained convinced. She had Ewen’s brain sent from the Canadian Concussion Centre to Boston, so Ann McKee could retest them. In 2018, McKee announced her conclusions: Todd had had CTE.