Family of late Blackhawks defenceman Montador sues NHL

CHICAGO — The family of late Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Steve Montador has sued the NHL, saying the league didn’t take the necessary steps to keep him reasonably safe during his career and failed to provide him with crucial medical information on the ramifications of brain trauma. Montador, who played for six NHL teams, died in February at 35 of an undisclosed cause. Dr. Charles Tator said in May an autopsy showed widespread chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which has been linked to repeated brain trauma. The lawsuit accuses the NHL of breaching its duty to inform players about the long-term dangers of repeated brain trauma. It seeks unspecified damages for Montador’s son, parents, brother and sister. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declined to comment.