Former NHL winger Jeff Parker had advanced chronic traumatic encephalopathy when he passed away last September, according to researchers at Boston University's CTE Center.
“It was fairly advanced, and we called it Stage 3 because it was significant,” Dr. Ann McKee, director of the CTE Center, told John Branch of the New York Times.
CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repetitive head trauma, and Parker's was classified as Stage 3 out of four.
McKee added the disease affects "the very important areas for memory and learning" of the brain.
Parker, who was 53 years old when he died, appeared in 141 NHL games between 1986-91, and joins six other former players who were diagnosed with CTE: Reggie Fleming, Rick Martin, Bob Probert, Derek Boogaard, Larry Zeidel, and Steve Montador.
He was also among more than 100 former players who filed a lawsuit against the league, arguing the NHL withheld information about the long-term health risks caused by concussions.
As recently as 2016, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman denied a link between concussions suffered in the course of play and CTE.
Parker recorded 16 goals, 19 assists, and 163 penalty minutes in the NHL, with much of his time in the box coming via fighting majors.
