Boogaard was an enforcer who played 5mins a game... sorry that does not equate to a legend. As for being a fan favorite, it was pretty clear the majority of the fan base here wanted him gone his last season here.
I mean no disrespect to Boogaard.
Just to clarify my comment.
I mean no disrespect either because I feel the same way you do. I didn't want him to re-sign but it's tragic the man died. I also would prefer they don't retire his number but because of the impact he had on a lot of the casual fans and for the local charities he created / participated in, I could really see them doing it (I mean they retired #1 for THE FANS for christ sakes!). But I agree with the general consensus, a patch should definitely happen.
Not here to pimp my NYR board on a differ site. Just wanted to let the Wild fans know that we appreciate the effort to honor Boogy. Hundreds of posts and many just praising the Wild fans as to giving a class tribute to your former team member. We may be rival fans when we play each other but that is what it's all about. During times like this we can all come together to honor this young man that touched so many lives. Well done Wild fans, well done.
Hey guys, just came in to say great memorial for Boogard, you guys keep proving you are one of the best and most classy fanbases in the league. Hats off to you
Well written. It is weird how much his death hit me this weekend even though I never knew or met the man.
He really did define the Wild for a time. Post lockout when our leading scorer was Brian Rolston, he put Minnesota on the map. When we made the playoffs and got killed by Anaheim, we chanted for him to even the score. When Gaborik couldn't live up to expectations and went slinking out the backdoor, Boogaard kept the fans in the seats. It's no coincidence our sellout streak ended when he left and the team dropped an average of 400 fans per game (over 2%).
"I remember one day last summer — and I never really told this story before — I was playing in a golf tournament and I got a call from him. And he said, 'Come get me.'
"I said, 'Well, I'm playing golf.'
"He said, 'I need you to come get me.'
"I said, 'Well, where are you?'
"He said, 'I don't know.' It turned out he was at a big home improvement store.
"It's amazing what these guys go through, and the pounding they take. … I don't know what the ultimate cause is going to be [in his death]. I'm hoping for the best. But I know it really took a toll on him."
NY Post - Boogaard was in NHL Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program
people brought it up the second it was reported in the main board thread but it was squashed because the general consensus was it was a condolence thread, not a speculation thread.
might not have anything to do with anything. As to why no one knew about it before? Because it's generally not advertised when a player has addiction problems unless it's used as an excuse for some egregious public behavior (on or off ice). Boogaard didn't beat up a fan, stomp on anyone's leg, or slap a hooker around so there was no need for the wild or the rangers to mention it.
Seems that a lot of enforcers struggle with those substances. That just shows how tough that job is. I can't imagine how much mental and physical pain there is. RIP big man.
I just hope people learn that mixing alcohol and meds is dancing with death EVERYTIME! This lesson, I'm hoping will be Boogey's biggest contribution to kids, adults and players. Just because a Dr. prescribes something DOES NOT give anyone a "bullet-proof vest". It hurts me to say all this, but it needs to be said and the message spread. IMO there has NOT been enough coverage on this issue.
i have a friend who is a nurse, and that's his favorite way to relax. he too has legitimate reasons for taking the pills, but he always mixes them with wine.
:/ should know better.
It sounds like the scary thing about mixing that drug and alcohol is that your reaction can be all over the map. Like the same doses can create different reactions from one day to another.
Awesome feedback as well as great candor from you guys. Thank you. Well if anyone is interested, you can help me bring more awareness to this under-covered issue. My plan is to write Mike Russo and the Wild organization to help spread the message to all. This is not just a problem for players. We can do some good here though and seize this opportunity.
Aaron Boogaard's attorney: "This a very unfortunate circumstance and we believe Aaron is involved because he may have potential information about a larger investigation. One thing is certain, the charges brought against Aaron have nothing to do with his brother, Derek Boogaard's death. The family continues to grieve the loss of Derek and is troubled by this turn of events, which makes the pain for the family even more difficult."
