BOSTON – Researchers studying the brain of seven-time All-Star Rick Martin found damage consistent with the trauma they found in other former NHL players. The difference is Martin wasn’t a fighter.
Martin is the first non-enforcer who has been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy by researchers at a Boston University brain bank.
Martin died of a heart attack at the age of 59 in March. All three former NHL players who have donated their brains for research so far have been diagnosed with CTE, a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated brain trauma.
Martin played 13 NHL seasons for the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings. He scored 382 goals as part of the legendary “French Connection” line with Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert.
“Rick Martin’s case shows us that even hockey players who don’t engage in fighting are at risk for CTE, likely because of the repetitive brain trauma players receive throughout their career,” said Chris Nowinski, a founder of the Sports Legacy Institute at BU. “We hope the decision makers at all levels of hockey consider this finding as they continue to make adjustments to hockey to make the game safer for participants.”
Further details of Martin’s brain tissue analysis will be released in
Read More from the Article Source: Full Article
