Ice hockey has become the latest major sport to be sued by ex-players over concussion-related injuries.
Daniel Carcillo and Nick Boynton allege the National Hockey League withheld information about the long-term health dangers related to concussions.
The lawsuit, filed in the US state of Minnesota, claims the NHL did not adequately warn and inform players about brain damage risks caused by contact to the head.
Carcillo and Boynton say the league allowed and encouraged players to rush back to action while recovering from concussions.
Both Carcillo, who played for five teams over nine seasons, and Boynton, who turned out for six teams in 11 seasons, suffer from long-term, degenerative brain damage.
"The NHL is long overdue in acknowledging the significant risks inherent in their style of game," their lawyer William Gibbs said.
"I'm doing this on behalf of all former NHL players that are struggling with the difficulties of transitioning from a life in the NHL with brains that have been damaged." Carcillo said.
"Players today are still being denied proper care for concussions. It's time for the NHL to finally acknowledge that serious, permanent damage can be done if head trauma is ignored or neglected."
Carcillo, nicknamed "Car Bomb" for his violent style of play, was fined or suspended on 12 different occasions during his career.
He won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015.
Boynton played 605 career games.
