Derek Boogaard Dead at 28

Derek Boogaard. AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

Derek Boogaard Dead at 28

May 13, 2011 11:09 PM David M Singer

Derek Boogaard has been found dead in his apartment at the age of 28 according to a tweet by Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Awful news: Derek Boogaard was found dead today in his Minneapolis apartment by members of his family. He was 28.

The Rangers released a statement shortly after confirming Boogaard's passing.

“Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual,” said New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather. “He was a very thoughtful person, who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”

There have been no other details released yet.

Update Sat 825am: For those inquiring (mostly via email) about how or why, Michael Russo has posted: The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed an autopsy would be conducted Saturday.

He also wrote a personal blog post that I encourage everyone to read. Like Mike, one of my first thoughts was about Derek's family, specifically Ryan, who's active everywhere on the web where you could find info about Derek, and simply a great guy. My heart goes out to him and his family.

Update Sat 135pm: The AP is reporting it may be weeks before the cause of Boogaard's death is known.

Update Sat 715pm: Russo is reporting Boogaard's brain will be donated to CSTE, the researchers who are studying for brain disease in athletes.

Larry Brooks of the NY Post has tweeted this:

Post has learned that Derek Boogaard was receiving counseling through NHL/NHLPA Behavorial Health/Substance Abuse Program at time of death.

Brooks followed up saying there will be a story published in the Post tomorrow.

Any further updates will be posted after the jump.

Update Sun 8am: The NY Post story from Brooks is live and contains this:

Boogaard, who was sidelined for the season after just 22 games when he sustained a concussion in Ottawa on Dec. 9 in a fight with Matt Carkner, was given permission by management to leave the team with approximately a week to go in the regular season in order to receive counseling to help him deal with unspecified issues.

Outside of Boogaard's involvement in the program, no other details are given, and obviously no assumptions should be made regarding any connection between Boogaard being in the program and his death.

Comments

sad news for hockey. raised la kings fan i hated to see the boogeyman come into town and wreck havoc on my gay. would have loved seeing him in a kings jersey. rest in peace.
Posted by cheech on 2011-05-15 14:57:48 I'm going to miss that Smile he had when he had a guys number, God's hockey team just got a lot tougher. God bless his Family and Boogie him self.
Posted by Wildbill63mn on 2011-05-15 02:35:08 Like it or not, fighting is an integral part of professional hockey. I'm a fan way back to the Original Six days and have seen lots of tough guys come and go. Derek Boogaard was certainly one of the best. No matter what team we follow as hockey fans, we've all suffered this loss. God bless.
Posted by Tom Sellectomy on 2011-05-14 23:44:59 Retire The # 24 RIP BOOGY
Posted by Brandon on 2011-05-14 20:32:54 As a Ranger fan living in Michigan I have to admit I wasn't thrilled to see Derek signed after the Brashear debacle. I could not have been more wrong. In 22 games I started to think back to the Nick Fotiu, Tie Domi, Joe Kocur enforcers of the past and it was nice to see our forwards getting some room on the ice. Barely knew his game... but I can say one NYR fan is really sad. Best wishes to his family, friends and teammates.
Posted by Ray on 2011-05-14 19:36:53 Tough loss for the Hockey World. Derek Boogaard was a great fighter who cared for others off the ice. May is a cursed month in the sport of Hockey. Players have died at a young age in this month. Our thoughts are with Derek Boogaard's Family at this difficult time.
Posted by Andrew Sheehy on 2011-05-14 17:44:55 don,t know the man at all,but i,ll tell ya he had that special intangible,of willing to protect his teamates at all cost, deffinatly a rare quality,the statement of a guys character!..something you can,t teach,gone too soon man,,R.I.P,D.B..
Posted by SANTOS on 2011-05-14 17:17:41 A terribly sad story. My heart goes out to his family at this time. Just a quality guy from top to bottom.
Posted by Rule46 on 2011-05-14 15:12:03 just saw this on nhl network.sad for him!got some of his fights on tape,did not realize,he was only 28,guys like him are always missed in the nhl.rip derek,one of the best!
Posted by mike keddy on 2011-05-14 13:36:38 it breaks my heart too see this young man leave his family and teammates so early.RIP Derek.i was rooting for you.
Posted by billy jack on 2011-05-14 13:09:21 Shocking and so terribly sad. One of a kind. I guess he gets his shot at Probie now. Bless his soul.
Posted by Suckerpunch on 2011-05-14 12:59:18 Boogey was the heart of the Wild for 4 years. As fans we loved him, respected him, and admired him. His teammates felt the same. I can't count the number of times my son and I sat on the floor, ate pizza and cheered for the Boogey man. Never met the man but we feel like we lost a friend. This is hard to believe as a fan, but has to be awful for his family. Our thoughts go out to them.
Posted by cvar22 on 2011-05-14 12:31:47 BOOGAARD WAS THE REASON I WENT TO THE WILD GAMES SINCE I WAS AN ADMIRER OF THE ROLL OF THE ENFORCER. HE COULDN'T SCORE A LICK BUT WAS VERY INTIMIDATING ONCE ON THE ICE. HE GOT A GREAT DEAL FROM THE RANGERS AND WILD HOCKEY HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. I WISHED HE HAD A CHANCE TO PLAY IN THE 80'S ERA AGAINST SUCH FIGHTERS AS GRIMSON, PROBERT,DOMI,BOB RAY, ETC. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, DEREK....
Posted by GJUMP WORSLEY on 2011-05-14 12:19:18 i am only 13 and i play hockey god bless you
Posted by colby on 2011-05-14 12:16:32 Rest in Peace Derek. Godspeed. Best to the Boogaard family.
Posted by jim matheny on 2011-05-14 12:01:03 Je mi to velmi luto.Derek bol najlepsi.Uz nebudem pozerat bitky.
Posted by miro on 2011-05-14 11:53:02 tragic loss at too young an age, i wonder if the concussion had anything to do with it? was something missed?
Posted by tweedlecat on 2011-05-14 11:18:43 Lets not speculate the cause just yet. He was a huge man, and could have had any number of hidden problems.
Posted by Knucklebump on 2011-05-14 11:00:04 R.I.P. Boogey. Another legend lost. I hate to sppeculate but I would suspect that drugs had something to do with it, him being so young. Very saddening. I'm in total shock.This is awful!
Posted by DesiArnazJr on 2011-05-14 10:41:41 He and Probie are probably having a great go right now. God bless you big fella.
Posted by Knucklebump on 2011-05-14 10:40:39 RIP Boogey man. Not a big fan of his but 28 is just awful.
Posted by jim on 2011-05-14 10:26:49 Big #24, you will ALWAYS be remembered here in the State of Hockey! This is a tragic day, and we will NEVER forget you and what you did for the Wild!! RIP Boogey!
Posted by Nick from St. Paul on 2011-05-14 10:05:35 Those whom the gods love die young and all that but I wonder if it wasn't all the vitamin supplements. He would have dark circles under his eyes sometimes which indicates kidney/liver problems. Also he probably had to take pills for his herniated disk. I had a herniated disk and I can tell you that the pain is horrible and only gets better after a long time. I was amazed that he could come back and play hockey because you're bent over grinding away the entire time. Always admired him for that but could never quite understand how he did it. Troy Crowder and I'm sure others had to leave the game for that injury. Not a goon. Policeman. Didn't take liberties with the smaller players but straightened out those who would. Very important distinction among the guys who ply his trade.
Posted by Duff Brainard on 2011-05-14 09:50:17 I was shocked when I read about Derek's passing....As a frequent reviewer of his fights I can only send my condolences to his family....May he rest in peace and may the family heal!!!! RIP
Posted by Muskokadangler on 2011-05-14 09:43:10 Just terrible news. RIP, Boogeyman. Thanks for the great memories. Sincere sympathy and condolences to the entire Boogaard family.
Posted by kingcobrafan on 2011-05-14 08:57:07 The king is dead. And it sucks.
Posted by Singrim on 2011-05-14 07:24:19 so shocked to hear about this,one of the most memorable fights I remember about him was when he ko'd todd fedourek a few years back when he was playing for the wild,he broke his orbital bone with 1 punch,fedorek was never the same after that,R.I.P.big guy!
Posted by john on 2011-05-14 06:16:45 Rest in peace and thank you.
Posted by Rickard on 2011-05-14 06:02:13 So sorry to hear this! Boogeyman was just getting ready to enter his prime in life and on the ice. To me, he was the enforcer on the ice. Rest in peace Derek!
Posted by Jbsiv on 2011-05-14 05:27:09 Derek forever..
Posted by Shluky on 2011-05-14 05:25:21 this sucks I cant believe this, only 28 I was hoping to see you and John Scott drop the gloves you will be truly missed but never forgotten. thanks for all the hits and knuckle sandwiches, Boogeyman
Posted by john on 2011-05-14 04:59:52 It is sad when these players go at such an early age ((((((
Posted by SC on 2011-05-14 04:52:36 What a sad day, as a big Wild fan and even bigger Boogie fan. I will never forget this man and all the nice memories he has given me. My condolences to his family.
Posted by Ponjo on 2011-05-14 04:37:03 Boogie was one of the best enforcers in the nhl, he was acutally a decent forward when he got the chance to play. I rememeber the game were Kim Johnsson was KO by Todd Burtuzzi. Boogie was not on the ice, but the crowd in The State of Hockey chanted "boogie boogie boogie". Boogie looked at coach Jacques Lemaire and Jacques gave him the nod. Boogie skated onto the ice and the building just went nuts! The guy was truley a team player. I used to work out at the gym were he workout, this guy really worked his ass off, doing MMA core strenght, is really tough. Now think Boogie 6'7" 240+ just shows the dudes hard core. When I heard the news the wild didn't resign him back, I was really pissed off,I knew the season was going to suck, and man it did, the season without Boogie was just not the same! The Wild really messed up on letting him Go! R.I.P Boogie
Posted by bville puck on 2011-05-14 02:37:00 Man what a bummer to hear the Boogeyman is gone at such an early age.Hockey loves it's tough guys and it has lost a good one.My thoughts to his family and teammates.
Posted by micky buchanan on 2011-05-14 02:26:40 Im fan from Czech and this is really bad news. Boogeyman was one of the best enforcers in NHL and only 28..:(((((This is not true...(((...R.I.P Derek...in heavens with Probie.....two realy tough guys..
Posted by gdany on 2011-05-14 01:44:10 This is a sad day. He was awesome to watch. He will be missed. God Bless his family.
Posted by Sad on 2011-05-14 01:22:00 The heavens are brighter tonight as a champion and his belt have made their final journey. RIP BOOGEY
Posted by Boogaards Belt on 2011-05-14 01:13:02 At least he is with good company in the heavens. I'm sure he and Bob Probert can share some good stories. Many people in Minny will miss you my friend. God bless you and your family. I will be wearing your sweater in memory this weekend.
Posted by major on 2011-05-14 01:09:04 Hearing that my favorite NHL enforcer has passed away is truley aweful, My wife and I are huge Wild fans and it was so dissapointing when the Wild did not resign him, it felt as if this season just was not as fun to watch without the boogeyman and now he is gone, it is terrible news. My condolences go out to all his family and friends. Godspeed Derek Boogaard
Posted by Gary on 2011-05-14 00:16:32 Death alone is tragic, yet an untimely one such as this is downright wrong. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Derek's family and loved ones. He was far too young..
Posted by Ben on 2011-05-13 23:51:16 that is horrible news, best wishes to the family and his teammates
Posted by Jim Price on 2011-05-13 23:35:04 bad enough when we lost him from the minnesota wild as our enforcer , but losing him this way means we all lost. and at only 28 yrs. of age ( this sucks)
Posted by jim miller on 2011-05-13 23:31:25 I am 19 years and ever since Boogaard joined the NHL from the Areos he has been the reason why i got into watching hockey! He was the most entertaining player! thanks Boogeyman for the most memorable KO's in Wild History and the NHL you will be deeply missed and i am so saddend by this! thanks for everthing! RIP my good friend and thanks agiain for signing a puck for me! You were the nicest guy of the ice!
Posted by wild fan on 2011-05-13 23:28:55 So very sad. Feared by many, beloved by all who new him. Off the ice a gentle nice guy. On the ice instilled fear in the opposition. My condolences to his family and friends. What a tragic loss. The hockey doesnt matter here...Someone lost a son, a brother, a family member. But thank you for the fun memories Boogeyman. Rest in Peace.
Posted by AJohnson on 2011-05-13 23:22:53

Recent Quick Hits

Follow

Follow @hockeyfights

David:

Follow @singer

Tools

RSS
More Feeds