Report: Ex-players pushing to have Shanahan to testify in NHL concussion lawsuit

Sixty former players are urging authorities to order current Toronto Maple Leafs president and former NHL director of player safety Brendan Shanahan to testify in their lawsuit against the league, reports TSN's Rick Westhead.

Shanahan has apparently "refused to cooperate" with players suing the NHL over its failure to heed to long-term health effects on players as the result of concussions sustained during their careers.

"As the former senior vice president of player safety and operations, Shanahan has first-hand knowledge of the importance of injuries sustained, particularly concussions, to the discipline imposed on players who violate rules," the plaintiffs' lawyers wrote in documents obtained by TSN.

They have also reportedly requested U.S. federal law to advise the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General to order a subpoena.

The plaintiffs are also working to have commissioner Gary Bettman provide testimony.