Another former NHLer sues league over concussion-related issues

Former Bruins defenseman John Rohloff has launched the third class-action, concussion-related lawsuit against the NHL in the past year.

In less than a year, there have been three concussion-related class-action lawsuits launched against hockey's top league by former NHL players. In the previous twolawsuits launched against the NHL (one in November of 2013, and another in April of this year) the plaintiffs were groups of retired players. But in the newest suit – which was revealed Wednesday – there's only one ex-player involved: former Boston Bruins defenseman Jon Rohloff.

Rohloff's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a Minnesota court, alleges he suffered "multiple head traumas during his NHL career that were improperly diagnosed and treated by the NHL." Rohloff further alleges he was never warned of negative health effects of head trauma, and that the NHL has known about a scientific link "between sub-concussive blows and brain trauma" for 85 years.

There is no word as to an amount of money Rohloff is seeking in the suit. But Rohloff is speaking out with a message that goes against the long-held notion NHLers "know what they're getting into" when they choose to play what can be a vicious game:

"Former NHL players are uniting to send one resounding message: they signed up to play hockey knowing that they might get injured and dinged, but they did not sign up for brain damage.”

Rohloff played 150 games for the Boston Bruins between 1994 and 1997, and fought eight times during that span. His lawsuit is seeking medical monitoring, injunctive relief, and financial compensation related to his chronic injuries, medical costs, financial losses, and intangible losses incurred as a result of the NHL’s misconduct.