New York Rangers Forward Derek Boogaard Passes Away at 28

by Mike Cole on Fri, May 13, 2011 at 10:32PM

The New York Rangers have announced that forward Derek Boogaard has passed away at the age of 28.

The news was first reported by Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune who said that Boogaard was found dead at his apartment in Minneapolis on Friday.

“Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual,” said New York Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather in a statement on the team’s website. “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 Rangers’ team website also makes note of Boogaard’s numerous charitable contributions. In his one season in New York, Boogaard began “Boogaard’s Booguardians,” a program that hosted military members and their families at Rangers home games.

Boogaard just finished his sixth season in the NHL, his first in New York with the Rangers. Prior to that, he had spent five NHL seasons with the Minnesota Wild.