3 replies to this topic

[YzerFan19]

Thoughts go out to the friends and family of Rangers forward Derek Boogaard. The team announced that he was found dead in his apartment yesterday. No other news is available at this time.

Michael Russo of the StarTribune has a really nice piece about Boogaard up.

Anytime something like this happens it's a terrifying reminder of just how human our hockey heroes are. I've said it before, we think of them as invincible but they're just men.

[NorthStar]

I would agree... Derek seemed like a good player.. really a terrible tragedy to have this happen to someone like him.. hope his family will be alright in the days to come.. I did see a tribute to him in both the tb-bos and van-sj games this weekend so it was nice to pay a tribute with a moment in silence for him..

[YzerFan19]

I don't think I'm alone in saying that it never crossed my mind that we might see this kind of occurrence three times this summer.

Wade Belak was found dead in Toronto today, two weeks after the death of Rick Rypien and three months after Boogaard died.

Three dead players in a single offseason is shocking. Three dead enforcers is sure to cause a lot of discussion. I don't want to go down that path myself but I fear that it'll be inevitable for the NHL.

[NorthStar]

Yeah.. 3 players dead in the offseason.. wow that would be enough to wake anyone up.. still there are raging discussions about taking out fighting.. I dunno if it would help much but ah... hopefully someone will step in with a good idea to help out with that kind of issue regarding depression and others associated with the players... I was really looking forward to seeing Rick Rypien play for the Winnipeg Jets this year but sad indeed it wont happen.. I do know the Jets will honor him with a special patch on the helmet with the 2 letters of RR... nice tribute for sure... as for Belak, that was a shocker too.. wow..