New York Rangers forward and enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead at his Minneapolis home Friday by family members. No cause of death was known at the time, and the autopsy may not yield a cause for several weeks according to recent news.
Cause of Boogaard's death may be unclear for weeks - AP article by Amy Forliti, Associated Press – 25 mins ago
Reactions from former team-mates and friends were one of shock:
“I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it, I just couldn’t believe it,” - Georges Laraque. “I talked to him a couple of days ago. I was devastated. I’m still devastated.”
“Everybody just saw the big tough exterior,” Shane Hnidy - former Minnesota teammate, now a Boston Bruin. “He was a great guy who really gave back, especially in Minny, he was probably the biggest, most popular player there."
“The news that we have lost someone so young and so strong leaves everyone in the National Hockey League stunned and saddened. The NHL family sends its deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Derek Boogaard, to those who played and worked with him and to everyone who enjoyed watching him compete.” - NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Darcy Hordichuk of the Vancouver Canucks and Derek Boogaard of the Minnesota Wild exchange punches. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Derek Boogaard was a respected player and enforcer in the NY Rangers team. Some of his fights against the likes of Hordichuk, Brookbank. Brashear, and Parros were nasty fisticuffs. He was not liked when opposing Vancouver as a member of the Wild.
However, his death will be felt by many members of all teams in the NHL. They have lost one of their own. And his death will be felt by many a fan, regardless of what team they cheer for. He was well known for his work in the community and reaching out to fans. Above all, his family has suffered a loss that will hurt for the rest of their lives.
Forever a Minnesota Wild player and forever a NY Ranger. His life enriched all of us who watched his games and his pugilistic talents on the ice. He was a big man who had a big heart and the world is more poorer for the loss.
In life, a member of the Minnesota Wild and a member of the New York Rangers; in death, a member of all NHL teams. We have ALL lost "one of our own".
RIP Derek Boogaard; June 23, 1982 – May 13, 2011. Farewell, "Boogey Man"; We will ALL miss you.
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