A class action lawsuit has been filed by a group of former NHL players over concussion injuries. Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the National Hockey League, released a statement supporting the way the League and the Players' Association have managed player safety.

The NHL's statement read, “We are aware of the class action lawsuit filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of a group of former NHL Players. While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the League and the Players' Association have managed Player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions. We intend to defend the case vigorously and have no further comment at this time.”

The lawsuit, which was filed in Washington, D.C., seeks damages and court-approved, NHL-sponsored medical monitoring for
the players' brain trauma and/or injuries, which they blame on their NHL
careers, according to the Associated Press. The suit against the NHL and its board of governors, says scientific
evidence has linked brain injuries to long-term neurological problems
for decades.

“The NHL has known or should have known of this growing body of
scientific evidence and its compelling conclusion that hockey players
who sustain repetitive concussive events, sub-concussive events and/or
brain injuries are at significantly greater risk for chronic
neuro-cognitive illness and disabilities both during their hockey
careers and later in life,” the suit alleges.

It was filed on behalf of players who retired on or before February 14
of this year and have suffered such injuries, and listed ten former
National Hockey League players, including All-Star forward Gary Leeman. The other ex-players on the lawsuit are: Bradley Aitken (Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers); Darren Banks (Boston Bruins); Curt Bennett (Blues, New York Rangers and Atlanta Flames); Richard Dunn (Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames); Warren Holmes, (Los Angeles Kings); Robert Manno, (Canucks, Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings); Blair James Stewart (Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques); Morris Titanic, (Sabres); and Rick Vaive (Canucks, Maple Leafs, Sabres, and Chicago Blackhawks).

In a statement, Vaive said players “were kept in the dark about the risks of concussions and many of the former NHL players are now suffering from debilitating head injuries from their time in the league. Hopefully this lawsuit will shine a light on the problem and the players will get the help they deserve.”

The suit comes just three months after the National Football League agreed to pay $765 million to settle lawsuits from thousands of former players who developed dementia or other concussion-related health problems.