Former Avalanche forward Chris Simon dead at age 52

The Colorado Avalanche announced the passing of former forward Chris Simon.

Former Colorado Avalanche forward Chris Simon passed away Monday night, according to a statement from the organization. 

The 52-year-old won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996 and was a teammate of Avs President Joe Sakic. 

Sakic said, in part, "Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season. He was a really good hockey player who could score goals, was a big presence in the dressing room and was the first person to stand up and defend his teammates."  

Simon joined the Quebec Nordiques in the 1992-93 season and remained with the team through its move to Denver and winning its first Stanley Cup. 

He was known as a physical player who was not afraid to drop gloves on the ice and was handed several suspensions for incidents during his career. One of note was in March 2007 for the use of his stick in a hit against New York Rangers' forward Ryan Hollweg, which he was suspended for the rest of the season.  

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