NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman dismisses CTE-concussion link

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated that there is no "link" between chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and concussions, in his response to inquiries from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) about the long-term risks of head trauma.

Bettman filed a 24-page response to Blumenthal in which he criticized the news media for “misconceptions that have been repeatedly promoted," according to the letter obtained by the New York Times.

“The science regarding CTE, including on the asserted ‘link’ to concussions that you reference, remains nascent, particularly with respect to what causes CTE and whether it can be diagnosed by specific clinical symptoms,” Bettman said. “A causal link between concussions and CTE has not been demonstrated” and “the relationship between concussion and the asserted clinical symptoms of CTE remains unknown.”

One-hundred five former NHL players have filed a class-action lawsuit against the NHL, alleging it did not warn them of the risks.

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Former players such as Derek Boogaard, Bob Probert and Steve Montador were found to have CTE, though Todd Ewen did not suffer from it despite suffering multiple concussions in his career. His wife was “surprised” by the results of his brain study.

“This, sadly, is precisely the type of tragedy that can result when plaintiffs’ lawyers and their media consultants jump ahead of the medical community and assert, without reliable scientific support, that there is a causal link between concussions and CTE,” Bettman said. “Certainly, a more measured approach consistent with the medical community consensus would be a safer, more prudent course.”

Boston University researchers have found CTE in 90 of the 94 brains of NFL players they studied. In March, NFL senior vice president of health and safety Jeff Miller became the first league official to acknowledge football's connection to CTE, telling a congressional committee that "certainly" research by Boston University neuropathologist Ann McKee had established a link.

CTE is on the mind of former NHL players, too. Eric Lindros, who had his career cut short by concussions, told the New York Daily News in February: "To not be worried about it would be impossible to do.”

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CTE can lead to depression, lack of impulse control and dementia, and can most accurately be discovered in an autopsy.

Bettman cited Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine's deposition that LaFontaine, who retired because of conussions, was concerned about the "widely-publicized misinformation." Bettman said the "public discourse has failed."

"Critically, such fear mongering — from any quarter — should be taken lightly," Bettman said.