The Concussion Blog

As many have heard the enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead in Minnesota last week.  This report was filed by Hockey Trade Rumors;

It may be weeks before authorities know exactly how and why New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died, although foul play is not immediately suspected. The 28-year-old player from Saskatoon was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment. The team announced his death Friday but gave no details.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner was conducting an autopsy Saturday. County spokeswoman Carol Allis said authorities probably wouldn’t release results for at least two weeks. Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer said authorities received a report of a man not breathing shortly before 6:15 p.m. Friday. Minneapolis fire officials were the first to arrive and determined he was dead. Palmer said authorities do not suspect foul play at this point, but the police department’s homicide unit and the medical examiner’s office are both investigating. Palmer said the medical examiner will determine the final cause of death. “I don’t think we have any answers as to what happened or why it happened,” Ron Salcer, Boogaard’s agent, said Saturday.

It is not that we are late to the party, but with increased awareness on concussions and our very small “clout” we may have attained in a short time we did not want to connect dots by simply pressing the information.  It is very sad that anyone that young is struck down; many players in the NHL are still very saddened by this information.  The only thing we know at this point is that Boogaard’s brain has been sent to Boston University and Dr. McKee’s lab for study.  This does not mean anything other than his family wishes to help with the ongoing research in the area.  What we also know about Boogaard is that he has missed time in his career due to concussions, including this year after his injury on December 20th.

We will follow this story as more information becomes available.