BOSTON — The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) is establishing an advisory committee aimed at providing hockey players with an in-depth understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the serious effects that concussions can have on brain health.

On Friday night, NHLPA president Marty Walsh announced that the formation of the CTE committee was unanimously endorsed during a union board meeting held this summer. Walsh made this notable announcement while accepting an award at the Concussion Legacy Foundation’s annual gala, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families dealing with the repercussions of traumatic brain injuries.

In an official statement, the union highlighted the vital importance of the long-term health of NHL players to its members. “To this end, the NHLPA is in the process of forming a player committee that will be focused on learning more about chronic traumatic encephalopathy,” it read. The committee will be assisted by top medical professionals in the field to ensure players gain a better insight into CTE and its implications.

CTE is a progressive degenerative brain condition that has been observed in both athletes and military veterans who have faced concussions or recurrent head trauma. Notably, the condition can only be definitively diagnosed after death, through an examination of brain tissue.