More former NHL players join concussion lawsuit vs. the league

Bob Murdoch and Denis Maruk are now among the well-known players who are suing the NHL for allegedly covering up the long-term effects of concussions and head trauma.

On Monday, 24 former NHL players joined the class-action lawsuit alleging the league was aware of the long-term implications of head trauma. 

Among the latest group are several well-known names, including:

• Lyndon Byers (left, in photo above), the former enforcer who appeared in four episodes of the TV series Rescue Me as well as several motion pictures.

• Bob Murdoch, who won two Stanley Cups with the Canadiens (1970, '73) and coached 10 years in the NHL.

• Dennis Maruk, who scored 110 goals for the Washington Capitals from 1980-82.

• Michal Pivonka, who twice led the Caps in scoring (1991-92 and 1995-96).

• Craig Muni, who won three Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1987, '88 and '90).

• Blaine Stoughton, who twice scored 50 goals for the Hartford Whalers (1979-80 and '81-82) and retired as the fourth leading scorer in franchise history.

Email leaves NHL with PR black eye in concussion lawsuit

Also joining the action were Butch Williams, Lance Pitlick, Jason Doig, Bobby Dollas, Gene Carr, Harry York, Ron Flockhart, Frank Spring, Tom Cassidy, Cam Connor, Jim Hofford, Sasha Lakovic, Martin Simard, Shayne Stevenson, Harold Druken, Joe Dziedzic and Scott Bjugstad. Their addition swells the ranks of plaintiffs to 92 former players.

It also was revealed on Monday that Canadian broadcaster CTV filed a motion to join in plaintiffs’ pending motion requesting the de-designation of certain discovery documents.

“The NHL’s interpretation and application of the current protective orders in this matter inhibits the ability of news organizations and journalists like CTV ... to obtain and convey information related to the litigation that may be of considerable public interest and benefit,” the filing claimed.

The league filed an official opposition back in October to a previous motion to prevent what it considers to be privileged documents from being open to the public. It’s expected that a similar opposition will be filed in response to this latest motion.