Minnesota Bids Farewell To Derek Boogaard

I’m sure by now you have heard Boogaard’s family has generously decided to donate his brain to science.

Incredibly selfless and classy move by that family. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.

This is not an appropriate time to speculate about how Boogaard passed away, this is a time to mourn and grieve and show support for the Wild fans, Ranger fans, the cities of Minnesota and New York, former teammates, and the Boogaard family.

I knew that Boogaard was wildly popular in Minnesota. Calling him a “fan favorite” would be an understatement. I recall hearing that his jersey sold better than Gaborik’s while he was there. I am sure it was something the two shared a laugh about.

It was devastating news. I played with Boogey for a long time in Minny and then in New York. He was a great guy. We got along together great. We helped each other out on the ice and off the ice. We were very close. I tried to help him along in New York, and we had a very good relationship. It’s just very sad. We had a lot of good times together. He was a really easy going guy, really caring. We talked pretty much about everything. He’s just the type guy who would be there for you whenever you needed him.

We spoke before the World Championships, we were in touch a lot. He was focusing on coming back, training every day. He was really looking forward to coming back in great shape and prove that he’s the best at what he does. He was really looking forward to that. He was always so positive and optimistic.

He was one of the very best at what he did. Every team would have loved to have him, whether on the ice or off the ice as a great teammate. He was a year younger than me, and you could see that he improved so much. But he always was such a calm guy, got along with everybody. – Marian Gaborik

I haven’t posted anywhere regarding Boogey’s passing yet. For the first two days I just didn’t want to believe it…

Unfortunately, I never met Derek and as Ranger fans we barely got to know him. Reading all of the comments from his family, friends, and teammates about Derek has made me realize his passing is MUCH more than a player, roster spot, or (as some have so callously asked) cap space. He was larger than life, literally, yet as down to earth as anyone you’d meet. Reading what he did for communities (including NY, even though his stay short) goes to show the kind of man he is. It’s a shame to lose such a gentle giant so young in age.

As a side note, I think Jim put it best, "When hockey fans are at their best, they are the best in sports."

I wish all the family and friends of the big man all the best… R.I.P. Boogeyman.

Den’s been banned. I warned him after the comments he made in this thread, he chose to ignore me and continue to make stupid comments in another thread. His comments and I believe the replies to them have been deleted.

Sorry for the trouble.

Jim

Boogie got the concussion from Carkner fight, you wonder what impact the injury had on him (physically and/or emotionally). There is some history of tough guys with demons of the ice (potentially aided/caused by concussions from fights). Google stories about Kordic, Simon and Probert. You wonder if there’s something there.

I’m not going to speculate on the treatment program thing. Hope his family knows how universally loved this guys was in the hockey world and remembers the best of him.

For the record, I’m in favor of keeping the current rules on fighting. I think cheap shots and stick fouls would replace it and greater chance for severe injuries.

Godspeed…

I was happy when they signed Boogaard, but I’m ashamed to admit it was more because he was Not!Brashear as opposed to any qualities Boogaard may have possessed.

I do recall MSG showing the “Garden of Dreams” segment featuring Boogie at a Build-a-Bear before or during a hockey game this season, and it really touched me at the time. But in general we really didn’t see much about him, when in contrast the previous year the club kept shoving The Donald down our very unwilling throats. And that’s a downright shame.

I’m bummed that we didn’t really get to know him at all, so that we could have rallied around him during his all-too brief tenure with us and given him our fondness, loyalty, and respect, which he from all accounts seemed to have richly deserved. While it hurts that he is gone, it also hurts that we didn’t know him well enough to appreciate him while he was with us, and that it took until after his demise to hear all these glowing stories about a remarkable human being.

And I have to admit, I am very impressed with the MN fans, that he was arguably their most celebrated player, not (just) because of his prowess on the ice, but primarily because of his class and genuine goodness off the ice.