Former National Hockey League enforcer Todd Ewen dies at 49

Todd Ewen played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, San Jose Sharks, and Montreal Canadiens, serving as a player representative for the NHLPA for three years. He had career highs of nine goals and 18 points to go along with his 272 penalty minutes for the expansion Ducks in 1993-94.

One reporter revealed the 49-year-old struggled with depression.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this heartbreaking time.

Despite his “tough guy” persona in hockey, Ewen had a more gentle side off the ice.

Sergeant Brian Schellman, public information officer with the Department, told the magazine: ‘It appears Mr. Ewen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is being classified as a suicide’.

“We’re sad to learn of the passing of former Blue Todd Ewen today”, the Blues tweeted on Saturday, September 19. His most recent experience came serving as head coach of St. Louis University’s hockey team, leading the Billikens to a Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association championship in 2011.

At times during his playing career and more frequently in retirement, Ewen authored children’s books. The cause of death was not released.

Ewen’s suicide comes on the heels of the death of former Calgary Flames defenseman Steve Montador, who died last February. That year, in a four-month span, Derek Boogaard, 28, died of an accidental prescription drug overdose and Rick Rypien, 27, and Wade Belak, 35, committed suicide.