Derek Boogaard June 23, 1982 – May 13, 2011 was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played for the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Known primarily as a fighter and enforcer, he was nicknamed the "Boogeyman" and "The Mountie". A 2007 survey of NHL players showed that Boogaard was the second most intimidating player in the NHL, behind the now retired Georges Laraque then of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Role as an enforcer
Boogaard's knockout of fellow enforcer Todd Fedoruk in a fight during a game against the Anaheim Ducks helped spark debate over increasing the punishment for fighting in the NHL. During this fight, Boogaard landed a brutal punch to the cheek sending Fedoruk to the ice. As a result, Fedoruk had to undergo surgery to reconstruct his shattered cheek using titanium plates. Fedoruk and Boogaard would later become teammates in Minnesota during the 2007–08 season. In 2005, Boogaard knocked out Mighty Ducks' enforcer Trevor Gillies with an uppercut to the jaw.
Boogaard was noted for a humorous incident that happened during the Wild's prospects camp prior to the 2001–02 season. When trying to check another player on the ice, Boogaard missed him and crashed into the boards with such force that he went through a pane of glass and over the boards. Boogaard stepped back onto the ice later and a replacement pane was adorned with a drawing of a person; A stick figure with the arms raised giving the impression of being plastered against the glass.
Playing career
Boogaard played Major Junior Hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Regina Pats, Prince George Cougars and Medicine Hat Tigers. After recording 9 points and 245 penalty minutes with the Cougars in 2000–01, he was drafted in the 7th round, 202nd overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Midway through the 2002–03 season, he turned pro and joined the Louisiana IceGators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He then spent two seasons with the Houston Aeros before earning a roster spot with the Wild in 2005–06.
By the end of 2009 Boogaard had played four and a half seasons with the Wild tallying 2 goals (both scored in his first season) and 492 penalty minutes.
On March 7, 2010, Boogaard was suspended for 2 games for a knee on knee hit to Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Jones.
On July 1, 2010, Boogaard signed with the New York Rangers for $6.5 million over four years.
Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–00 Regina Pats WHL 5 0 0 0 17 — — — — —
1999–00 Prince George Cougars WHL 33 0 0 0 149 — — — — —
2000–01 Prince George Cougars WHL 61 1 8 9 245 6 1 0 1 31
2001–02 Prince George Cougars WHL 2 0 0 0 16 — — — — —
2001–02 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 46 1 8 9 178 — — — — —
2002–03 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 27 1 2 3 65 — — — — —
2002–03 Louisiana IceGators ECHL 33 1 2 3 240 2 0 0 0 0
2003–04 Houston Aeros AHL 53 0 4 4 207 2 0 1 1 16
2004–05 Houston Aeros AHL 56 1 4 5 259 5 0 0 0 38
2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 2 4 6 158 — — — — —
2006–07 Minnesota Wild NHL 48 0 1 1 120 4 0 1 1 20
2007–08 Minnesota Wild NHL 34 0 0 0 74 6 0 0 0 24
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 51 0 3 3 87 — — — — —
2009–10 Minnesota Wild NHL 57 0 4 4 105 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 22 1 1 2 45 — — — — —
NHL totals 277 3 13 16 589 10 0 1 1 44
Death
On May 13, 2011 Derek Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment by family members. He was aged 28 and was a month and ten days short of his 29th birthday.
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