Celebrity Death!
Who was Derek Boogaard, NHL hockey player found dead at home?
[May 15]
Who is Derek Boogaard? Who was Derek Boogaard is the sad celebrity athlete news of the week. Boogaard was a professional hockey player who appeared in 45 games during the 2011 season for the New York Rangers. The NHL star was found dead in his Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday May 13th — a tough day to suffer a jinx. The saddest part of the celebrity death (besides the Rangers losing a valuable player they were surely counting on to play in future seasons) was his young age. Derek Boogaard was only 28 years old when he died. So presuming he was in good health, why was he found dead in a room at his celebrity home? Fans — and the medical examiners are speculating and everyone who follows hockey as a professional competitive sport wants to know.
TMZ reports:
Boogaard, who had a reputation as a tough player, missed the last 52 games of the regular season after suffering a concussion and shoulder injury, but it’s too early to know if that had anything to do with his death.
The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine cause of death.
Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather released a statement saying, “Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual. 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.”
The Daily Beast further adds:
The cause of death is unknown, and an autopsy will be conducted Saturday. Last July, Boogaard had signed a four-year $6.5 million contract with the Rangers after five seasons with the Minnesota Wild, but he played only 22 games in New York because of a serious concussion.
After the injury, he talked about how he’d never experienced anything like it, and how he barely could leave his apartment for weeks and had to wear sunglasses outside.
GREEN CELEBRITY STATS: R.I.P. DEREK BOOGAARD
Recently deceased NHL hockey player Derek Boogaard was a green celebrity in his every day life. KSTP pointed out that Derek Boogaard, although tough on the ice, was really a big softie. They write, “He might have been an intimidating enforcer on the ice, but in his passing the community remembers Derek Boogaard for his kindness and giving. Boogaard was heavily involved in “Defending the Blue Line,” an organization which supports military families through hockey opportunities.”