Bob Probert Found To Have Degenerative Brain Disease

From Hayley Mick of the Globe And Mail:

"Boston University researchers will release findings that show Mr. Probert had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when his heart gave out during a fishing trip last summer. The diagnosis makes him the second former professional hockey player to be found with the degenerative disease after Reggie Fleming, who died in 2009 at the age of 73 with dementia after three decades of worsening behavioural and cognitive problems.

Like Mr. Fleming, Mr. Probert was a fighter who banged his way through more than 200 fights during 16 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He had suffered at least three concussions and struggled with substance abuse. And in his 40s, Ms. Probert said, her normally laid-back husband may have begun to show some of the telltale signs of CTE, such as odd bouts of road rage and memory gaps."

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In the words of Jeremy Roenick, it's time for the NHL to wake up. They lost Eric Lindros to concussions, amongst many others. They lost Sidney Crosby in what was quickly becoming one of the greatest individual seasons in league history. And who knows, perhaps Crosby may never be able to full recover from this.

It is time for the NHL to dramatically change it's culture regarding head shots and even fighting. If the NHL does not do it, one day they will be forced to do so, and will lose control over their own future.