Backstrom’s wife, Janet, confirmed his posthumous diagnosis. Backstrom died Feb. 7, 2021, at the age of 83 in his home in Windsor, Colo.
Backstrom’s posthumous diagnosis of CTE is noteworthy because he was known as a scorer and playmaker, not as a particularly belligerent player. His career high for penalty minutes in a season was 51. Janet Backstrom said her family was unanimous in its support to donate Ralph’s brain to Boston University researchers.
Backstrom, who won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1959, recorded five 20-goal seasons with the Canadiens and two more with the Los Angeles Kings. Pollock’s strategy worked. Backstrom scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 33 games with the Kings, who went from last place to fifth in the NHL’s West Division, passing California in the process.Of the 14 former NHL players whose brains have been studied by researchers, 13 have been found to have had CTE.
Once that happens, researchers would be able to begin medical trials to learn whether certain drugs are effective at slowing or stopping the damage caused by CTE.
rwesthead Do you know if he had any caucasians while playing in the league? Both minor and severe?
rwesthead RIP
rwesthead Ralph still helping people after his death. The ultimate human being.