Players Talk Brain Injuries and Fighting

“Obviously, it’s scary,” Mr. Jackman said of Mr. Boogaard’s fate. “It’s a physical sport. It’s our choice to play it … it’s kind of the price that we pay to play in this league,” said the 30-year-old, who has fought seven times in 26 games this season and 29 times dating back to 2009.

That’s not to say Mr. Jackman isn’t confronting some thorny questions. “Hopefully, I don’t have anything wrong with my brain,” he said.