While the problem of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is well known in NFL players, the risks to hockey players in the NHL is not discussed as much. In an ongoing lawsuit brought by former NHL players against the league, lawyers for the NHL have demanded that records accumulated by the Boston University CTE center during their research into the disease be released to league attorneys. The records include brain tissue slides, interviews with players and families and MRI scans. The BU researchers have pushed back against this request, saying that the documents should not be released.
The league said the reason for wanting access to the records is so they can verify the accuracy of the reports and conduct their own independent investigation into possible cases of CTE among league players. The scientists cited privacy concerns, saying the burden of providing the records would severely limit the center's ability to conduct their research. Dr. Ann McKee said she "strenuously objects" to the release of the records and called the league's request "intrusive."