The New York Rangers on Friday confirmed the death of enforcer Derek Boogaard.
The Rangers released a statement not long after a report from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune indicated that Boogaard was found dead early Friday morning in his Minneapolis apartment.
He would have turned 29 next month.
"Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual," Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said in a statement. "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."
Boogaard had just completed his first season with the Rangers after signing as a free agent. He spent the first several seasons of his career with the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in 2001.
The six-foot-seven forward earned a reputation as arguably the most fearsome fighter in the league. He scored three goals and 13 assists while racking up 589 penalty minutes in 277 career NHL games.
15 comments:
Derek was a gentle giant. My heart goes out to his entire family.
Kirk
RIP Boogey. You were one of the good guys.
Tough as nails yet a real soft heart. RIP Derek!
Wayne
I felt sorry for him when he played junior for the Medicine Hat Tigers, the zebras gave him a penalty if he skated within 10 feet of another player. He never had a chance.
Condolences to the family. Sad to see someone so young gone too soon.
The Boogey Man is Dead?
Really tactful.
I can only echo what Wayne has to say. RIP Boogeyman. Many don't know what a good person you were.
Terrible news to start the weekend. I can only wonder if this will be something concussion-related because I think he had a lot of them.
Murray
Tact? Is that like making some kind of smart-ass comment and not having the balls to own up to said comment? Just wondering if its that or if you're embarassed because your true name is Jack Ass!
Don't publish the comments from the haters Mitch. It does no one any good.
perry
No Perry, as a personal friend of Derek's I find the title to be very blunt and somewhat disrespectful.
Derek was someone that you had to know to realize what type of a human being he was. He will be sorely missed.
CP
A personal friend of Derek's probably should name himself then. I also knew Derek through his brother and he was a great guy. I have no problem with the title of this thread. He was the Boogeyman and he is now no longer with us. My sympathies are with his Mom, Dad, brothers and Krysten. They are a great family that doesn't deserve what has happened and what might happen if the autopsy shows something that we all hope and pray isn't there.
John
U really can't say it better than what Wayne has.
This will end fighting in the game if we find out concussions had anything to do with his death. Hockey won't be able to ignore it anymore.
Point John
In all seriousness, Derek was a great individual, who in some circles was misunderstood. Those that know what Derek was all about (including me) know what type of individual he was. He was very caring, very giving and was a top notch human being. I grieve for his family and friends tonight because their loss is a great one. RIP Boogeyman.
CK
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