I met Boogaard when he was in the WHL and teaching in a hockey camp. He was a great guy, and I still have the jersey he signed. He deserved better support, and the NHL failed him.
I also got to meet him, and get this, Pavel Dimitra, at a function at Jim Lupient Infiniti, back in 08-09 I got there autographs, and photos, with both of them, Derek also sighed my book "The Code" Fighting and retaliation in the NHL. by Ross Berstien. Derek was so gracious! but by then he was super hurting, and i had no idea..... This was in Golden Valley Minn.
He deserves no support. NHL supported him by giving him a job in the first place. There should be no place for fights in hockey. NHL made rooms for goons, for so many years.. think of all the small talented players got their job stolen because NHL made rooms for goons.
I just watched this again. I can't help getting tears in my eyes. RIP Derek. I never knew what a good guy Todd Fedoruk is. He definitely has my respect.
As a Boxer I can attest to the fact that you can Train for Speed, Timing, Footwork, Endurance, Strength But there is nothing you can do to make your Brain more resilient. Very sad story for any young man to pass away a 28. God Bless him and his family.
I'll say it again, I played my whole life and was an enforcer. I also am an addict and that's started during my sophomore year in college. I eventually had to stop playing due to my addiction and I can't believe Derek was able to still play at the highest level and be an enforcer while being an addict. He's such a tough guy and I'm truly heartbroken he's gone
You guys and many other sports people do it for what?? Love of the game is laughable to say.....at the end of the day if you get past colleges or upper leagues it 100% comes down to money!! Sure it might be something u love and get paid to do....but at the upper levels money is the motivator. And for what....A miserable life and to make chump change from the mega millionairs at ur own demise!!?? Not all are like that and those are the ones that have something to show for it in the end
n2cable I was going to say "someone's got to do it", but i I think the modern NHL has evolved out from having any enforcers left. I think each team will always need guys that are willing to drop the gloves when necessary, but single purpose enforcers are all but gone. The game is too skilled
@@lancemilliken9078 I see ur point. And it is valid. But i just hate to see young guys mess themselves and others up for a buck or a beliefe it has to be that way. The NHL could do alot about it. SUspentions etc. Dont get me wrong..it would change the game...but maybe for the better. Now a days if you ruin a guys career it can escalate off the ice too in todays era we live in. And it seems thats where this is heading
I don't like the word 'addict' but I took pain pills for a decade. late 20's and 30's and even on occasion now. *The medicine is addicting to ALL humans. not just addicts.. *There needs to be a better pain medicine.. But it's the way that The Elctricity companies own 99% of all patents for wireless energy etc.. They will protect their $ at all cost..Ahole POS!
n2cable someone like u could never understand. I never played at a high level, but when i did play hockey, it was my life. If u love the game that much and it makes you who u are, you'll do anything to keep playing.
One of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Tried to help him out through dance class in Grade 12 at PGSS (just imagine this 6'6" guy learning to cha-cha!) and he couldn't be more humble or gracious (although perhaps not graceful). You're still missed all the time, Derek. Rest peacefully.
Im not a Wild fan but i must say the boogeyman was a beast...the only player i use this term for. To all u Min. Wild fans please retire this mans jersey he might of not played for that long but the impact he made in ur city is amazing. Put the 24 in the rafters.
Thank you to the Boogaard family for sharing his story. I'm by no means a knuckler like he was but have taken numerous checks resulting in long days in the dark not eating and throwing up. I get aggressive now for no reason. I'm going to get checked out. This video means a lot to me. Rest Easy Derek.
Fighting isn't want killed Boogard. The lack of attention and care to players suffering with concussions is what killed him. But it is easier to blame the rules of the game than the responsibility of the NHL to care for their players.
+Bobbo Morgan hockey isn't as bad as football. with football most of the brain trauma reported is with linemen who hit their heads on every play. However, like the NHL, the NFL refuses to take responsibilty. I'd prefer they don't change the rule to the game, but just accept responsibility.
+Charles Benjamin depends how you look at it. It was ultimately the Drug abuse that killed him. The team and NHL are responsible on that end. As we are finding out now, team doctors would give players whatever they needed to keep playing. I am sure this trend continues today as we saw with Mike Richards.
+Bobbo Morgan yeah, Rugby is by far the toughest sport on the planet played by only the toughest human beings. I loved playing, probably the most complex of contact sports too.
+Bobbo Morgan I am American haha. but I've seen those and the "Yes mom I still play rugby" ones. Such a great sport. Australian rugby is even more insane.
Same, when i watched Glass take on Ryan Reaves i thought the same thing. It takes guts to back up the talk, even if you bite off more than you can chew. I have a lot of respect for the enforcers and understand the role of fighting in hockey.
You can tell it was so hard for Sommerfeld to admit that it wasn't worth it for him... So much love for the sport, but just knows the side effects had a serious impact on his life. So much respect for these guys. 🙏🏼
@@woahfarout8793 Hockey was the reason he was taking oxy but oxy and alcohol are what killed him. If his situation was more monitored he would still be alive. Yes he had CTE and it is awful but that's not what killed him like this video seems to want to imply.
@@bobdolland4628 Yeah I know what killed him. The point is that he was taking oxycontin to play freaking hockey. That is a failure and a disgrace of the National Hockey League that cannot be ignored.
All the people in this seem like good people, Derek too. I feel so bad for his family. His brother being unable to finish the story of finding him was brutal.
I just finished the book, Boy on Ice today. It’s a brilliant piece of writing and story-telling. I wanted to see the Times documentary, and am glad to have had the opportunity. Thanks to everyone involved, especially the Boogaard family. 💕❤️
Not only getting hit, but getting hit a day after having been hit. *I.e. receiving a concussion after already having a concussion* . Decidedly not good
Profit was made and so we move on, capitalism at its finest. Even when a plane crash and hundreds of people die, in more cases than not, the airline makes money. Same here, system abuses people, the danger is known, but who cares - profit
@@dillonhinkle6985 Dear Dillon: 1) When an airliner crashes, that's an accident. Guys hitting each other in an HHL game is predictable, not an accident. 2) Whether we're talking about the airline industry or NHL hockey or any other business, the Capitalist owners ALWAYS value financial profit over human life, usually by saving money through "cost cutting" measures. In the airline industry, it often happens by delaying maintenance and deferring mandated safety modifications to planes. In the NHL, "cost cutting" usually means not giving injured players the medical attention that they need. ... jkulik919@gmail.com
I never really followed hockey, but always had a lot of respect for the sport. This has really opened my eyes on hockey enforcers. They have to be by far the toughest guys in all of sports both physically and mentally. Boxers and MMA fighters train months and months for a fight that is in a controlled environment against other fighters in their weight classes gloves, hand wraps, and pads on a softer canvas. Football players play one game a week with pads and helmets. These guys potentially have to get in a bare knuckle fight on ice every other day.
How dare you cut off Minnesota's hockey song... in all seriousness, this guy was an anomaly, a one in a billion player who was feared and respected on the ice, and loved and revered off of it. His time here in Minnesota will never be forgotten. Rest easy Derek.
I live in Minnesota. Played hockey all my life. Love Boogaard, but that song sucked then and sucks today. The wild is also one of the worst names in not only the NHL, but all of sports. - bleacher report
Dear Chris: It's hockey fans with a DISGUSTING attitude like Yours who are really responsible for this man's death and for the head injuries of many other NHL players. Those of YOU who cheer this violence and pay to see it encourage this to keep happening. YOUR entertainment is to enjoy seeing other human beings deliberately injure each other all for YOUR viewing pleasure, and YOU should be Ashamed. The fact that you refer to this man as the "Boogie Man" shows How SICK YOU are. Hockey doesn't need to be violent at all, except for Sick Fans like YOU who demand seeing violence. Why don't YOU stop thinking about YOURSELF and start thinking about other people for a change, that is, if YOU are even capable of doing that. ... jkulik919@gmail.com
I was a die hard fan of the Wild during Boogy's run, it really was an amazing spectacle watching him on the ice. He was loved by everyone here in the State of Hockey. He was a true legend.
@@defeatignorance8681 fighting is way worst. Players don't receive that much hits in a game . It's not like football. Enforcers receive constant blows to the head.
@@simonroy2123 Do you have a medical background? Have you studied the issue like the people at BU have? If not, your comments here are without merit - a worthless "opinion", rooted in ignorance.
@@4orrcountry no i haven't. But the rate of cte is much higher with enforcers. Hockey is a risky sport i agree, but taking enforcers of the game will reduce the rate of cte for sure.
Being a big hockey player, (6'7, 220lbs) I'm expected to be an enforcer, I've had my share of hockey fights winning most. I'm 15 now and still wish I played more for skill instead of an enforcer
Boogaard played for the Houston Aeros during the NHL lockout and he was a real joy to watch in person. I’m still bummed he’s gone, but I’m sure glad I got to see him play in person many times
I was lucky to see Boogaard in person at MSG on October 15, 2010. He was a great person, I still think about him over a decade later. Very sad what happened to him, RIP Derek.
Even tho I'm a MN fan.. what I find disturbing is this woman saying Boogaard "would often crush the blades of his skates" ???? WTF??? as a Gunsmith and metallurgist.. his weight alone has NOTHING to do with it... There's NO WAY he could "crush the blades of his skates" as you state @ 3:05. You ma'am.. are a biased, uninformed liar.
RIP Derek. May more men be like you and we will know peace on this earth. Soft and true like a child and hard as the hardest rock in defense of it. Thank you.
This is really hard to watch, (in fact i'm scrolling down to avoid watching the fights near the end here) but as a hockey fan i think a very important and pertinent piece. RIP Derek.
Here after watching Rempi's sudden rise to fame for taking on all comers almost every game he's now played. Hope Rempi looks at situations like this and doesn't follow the same path.
unfortunately, another issue seems to be getting lost here. What about the opiate abuse and the docs who are prescribing them as they are tic tacs? A lot of NFL & NHL players are abusing these meds chronically. I wonder how much of their issues might be related to the combination of the concussions and drugging and drinking? I'm sure prolonged painkiller abuse cooks many brains cells indiscriminately. I mean how much of Derek's behaviour was credited to the abuse because it seems to be overlooked as a primary reason of his death? I empathize for Derek, not so much for his decision to be an enforcer in the nhl and knowingly aware of his exposure to damages as a result of physical brutality, but rather for his sickness involving the painkillers. It's taken me 10 years to finally feel normal after 6 years of dependency to pain meds myself. I wonder how many brown stains there are in my brain? I hope Derek is in peace now because I have a sense that his death was not accidental by any means. Very sad.
I know the age of this comment, but I wanted to say - Boogaard did what most addicts do - doctor shopped. He had multiple team docs, personal docs, etc prescribing and to avoid THEIR suspicions, also bought on the street. His brother also got scripts to hand over, and in fact, handed him the pills when Derek got home from rehab that very night. He was actually convicted of a charge relating (and is why he is missing from this documentary). I'm not saying he wasn't overprescribed in the first place, he was, but to get as many as he did, he had help. Aaron has something I'm sure we can't all imagine to life with, but it was Derek who had the requests. If Aaron hadn't given them to him, he would have most likely gotten them somewhere else or one of many, many hidden stashes addicts keep in their homes.
I played a lot of hockey and was always more of a fast skater/playmaking passer type. While I would try and play tough, I always respected the kids on my team who would stick up for us and werent afraid to get really scrappy. Its so much more intense at the NHL level.... I never saw him play but I know he would be a fan favourite on the Oilers if he ever played there. RIP Derek :(
I am from Minnesota and also a huge Wild fan and we miss him every game. Even when he played for New York he was always around in Downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis doing a lot of good. We will never forget him RIP Boogyman!!
14:40 that stuff about the fighting and having to suppress the emotions after a fight, was some thing i never thought about until he said that. its def 100% true, there's more than physical damage when fighting like that id say
Very good documentary, sad to see what is happening to these young players, hope they come up with a solution and stop these violent fights so no other family would suffer the pain this family faced..
dude was one bad mother. Love that’. Such a sad deal he passed away, but I love that the fans chanting his name Prolly gave that kid such a great feeling
I was lucky enough to have met Derek with this time in Minnesota, all I can say is he was one of the nicest guys I've met. He was with Todd Fedoruk back in 07-08.He was great with all the fans and kids that wanted to meet him. He was truly loved in the State of Hockey. It's saddening to hear this story, and to think how this impacted his life and his families life behind closed doors is very saddening. I don't know what the league will do about this topic but hearing scouts looking at kids being beasts or how their fighting skills translate into the league is overboard. There has been a movement towards skilled big guys who can fight which is good. I just wanted to pay my respect to a man who had a big impact in our community and is a legend in hearts. R.I.P.
I played my whole life and had a role as an enforcer during my last few years in club and then in college. I wasn't a big guy but didn't mind going up against the big guys because it shows your team your willing to put your personal safety on the line just to protect your boys and win the game. When Boogie came to the Rangers I fell in love with him. He was the man that was not only feared, but also adored by his teammates because he would do everything to protect them. We miss you Derek. The rangers fans miss you a lot. Share this video everyone.
27 year old Canadian with many hockey fights under my belt but “ your not gonna take punching out of boxing, and your not going to take fighting out of hockey” has to be one of the dumbest arguments I’ve heard about the debate
got absolute chills at 16:03 when he came on the ice and the fans went crazy. unbelievable fighter and teammate. miss him on the Wild almost every game. R.I.P. to my favorite player ever.
Now we realize that he should not have fought. He went to great lengths to be a fighter, sustain so many serious injuries in his short life, have to take so much medication, have to go to Rehabilitation two or three times and die at the hands of these things happening. Let’s hope that professionals learn a lesson from this. ***New England Patriots-let’s take this seriously ***.
Vancouver guy canucks fan here but i watched hockey alot during boogards best years when he was with the wild. You knew he was a big deal when u were worried for your team fighting him
I'm glad they are talking about the mental stress side of enforcers. I feel sorry for these guys; so much pressure and injuries -- physical as well as mental.
There had to be signs. Hopefully Coaches and GM’s and even players will keep a closer eye on the talent in the ice and intervene when signs start to appear
Being prior military and dealing with the va. The doctors there give out pain killiers to vets like candy, turning them into junkies. I have seen this first hand so its not just hockey players or pro athletes with these problems. To my original thought I do dgree with you these drugs need to away.
I hear you Samuel! I've got all these anxiety and antidepressants in my cupboard they gave me and I'm afraid to take them even once. I smoke bud and that helps but unfortunately it's still illegal. I can't even get the legal medical care I need. The doc at the va said I have been doing much better and asked what I was doing so I told him I've been smoking bud. He said "whatever it is your doing, keep doing it because it's working".
Every single fan in the Excel Center would watch the bench and every time Boogey stepped on the ice, didn’t matter the situation, WE ALL started shouting “BOOOOOO”! I miss him so much. He was why we got so excited about going to games! So sad what happened. But he’ll always be remembered favorably here in MN. Friggin love Boogey
@@MG-dj7jvlmao you kidding? You’re gonna blame MN? Blame the NHL, every single team had people getting pain pills for enforcers. He went to different teams after MN, kept getting pills. And last I checked, these are adults playing hockey. They have free will Troll.
I’m a canadiens fan since birth but Derek boogaard is still hands down my favourite player ever to live, my boyfriend plays the same roll and just got his jaw dislocated in a fight last week and he’s still wants to continue playing, I’m terrified for him to keep getting hurt all the time and one day dying from these injuries
what is bettman supposed to do .close the professional hockey.did you see the names of the 4 players who were diagnosed with this stuff ,one was Rick martin.i remember him good offensive player with buffalo. remember the French connection line .well Martin was hardly a physical fighting type of player. which tells me the game itself can do this to people. now the fighters may suffer it more often but the nature of any contact sport can do this so what is society supposed to do.ban all sports or make them as safe as you can.
There's really nothing more you can do. Sports, specifically hockey and football, are by nature very physical & violent with the will to win encouraging highly charged emotions, which in turn stimulates the players' need to physically punish each other in order to be the better player and prove superiority. There's only so much you can do to make a sport "safer" by instituting rules against violence and more protective equipment, but that's not going to do anything to lessen the players' instincts to dominate each other in the name of winning the game and for their own personal glory of being victorious.
Tony Teichroeb: You are so correct. He needs to put his loved ones out there and let them take a few blows and wind-up with brain injuries, yes plural, and then see how he addresses the topic. These guys will not do ANYTHING until it hits them in the wallet! They could could not care less for these guys, as long as the cash keeps flowing!
The NHL has changed over the last few years. Fighting has gone down, but still exists and always will have a place in the game. However, the "goons" are no longer staying in the lineup just to fight and then sit at the end of the bench the rest of the game. If you can't contribute to the team in another way besides fighting, you will not be around long which is a good thing. Keep fighting in, and keep the goons out.
+HockeyFan1990 Yes, I agree. Keep fighting in and don't penalise it any more than it is right now, but there shouldn't be people whose job it is to fight.
@@JDavis0017 This. Also, someone who calls an enforcer a goon doesn't know the difference. But I agree, I don't think there should be guys who JUST fight. You should find a player who is good enough to play, but is still able to scare the other team physically and fight when they need to.
Wow, im from Australia, never seen a hockey game, that blows me away that they have a guy that has to fight, the refs watch, Im going to start watching the show now.
Bettman is a real goof. No wonder he is booed EVERY TIME he speaks to a crowd when presenting the Stanley Cup. He makes me sick to my stinkin' stomach.
As a Rangers fan, good christ. I met Boogs in person at a preseason game. Literally months before his untimely death. I myself struggle daily with mental health and suicidal thoughts. Boog was, hands down, the most gracious and humble man I ever met. Rest easy, Derek. Rest easy.
The vast majority of concussions in hockey come from body checks not fighting I think it was mcgratten that said, " I've been fighting in hockey most of my life and I have less concussions than Crosby." It's the speed and hard hits that cause about 95% of concussions. Fighting is about 5%
@CJ Dillon he probably isn't, but three doctors did a study and concluded that, "64.2% of NHL concussions were caused by bodychecking, and only 28.4% of concussions and 36.8% of suspected concussions were caused by illegal incidents."
Bettman is an insult to respect. If fighting is 'not allowed" there would a commensurate punishment that would 'not allow" it to happen again. The same for Tripping, hooking, slashing, cross-checking which are also "not allowed."
I met Derek when he played for the Prince George Cougars and he was a great kid,great smile and yet so much harder for him than most players to get to his ultimate dream. My signed jersey also had Zdeno Chara,Eric Brewer,Chris Mason,Dan Hamhuis, and he was among the true champs with his hopes and dreams and his courage with how things changed over the years. I will never forget his smile and how awesome he was with young kids and everyone,so genuine and no airs. May he be at peace and always with us in our hearts.
This is a really well done and effective piece. I remember when it came out in the digital New York Times years ago. I sent the link to a number of friends.
Have sympathy because a guy passed away, but I have a hard time with anyone talking about how fighting caused head injuries etc. Of course it did, everyone knows that. Him and his brother taught a fighting school in Regina, so they were just as guilty of promoting it and know the risks involved. No one forces these guys to play in the NHL.
FWIW, the purpose and main objective of their school was to teach enforcers how to protect themselves in a fight. Do a bit of research before you flap your hairy palms on the keyboard.
"They choose to play". Choice is complicated. You don't choose if you're a type of person that wants to be better informed on the science. Can't choose how much you are driven by concern for your future and family vs the immediate money and adulation if these choices aren't something you even consider. Seems absurd to get this philosophical, but really our society has a too simplistic understanding of "choice".
NHL......how many players have fell to the side like Derek? It starts at the junior level where owners do not care. I have seen and experienced everything Derek went through but I am still alive. I fought for a job to make the NHL, protected big name players, who stayed longer in the NHL. The league, in my day ignored mental health issues. Players who I protected, with top positions in the NHL, to this day, turn their heads and forget who I am. (this hurts the most) The demons are there on a daily basis. People around me have no clue about how I feel inside. You hide the depression, you hide the addiction and try to live a normal life. Players like Derek and myself no the reality.
Hey big guy, I hope you find peace that you deserve! I myself played hockey from the age of 4yrs old up until my early 20's but I had lost that passion at the early age of 17yrs old and I had great chances to making it to the big show, but I remembered when I was a young kid at around the young age of 8 or 9yrs i had a special love for hockey that I would wake up hours earlier and go sleep on my hockey bag full of my equipment till it was time to go. And I remember I use to love walking into the arena's and loved the smell of the ice, the electricity in the air and once I stepped onto the ice I would feel this overwhelming joy, satisfaction and excitement that to this day I have not ever experienced with anything else. I can't explain the feeling and I will be forever grateful for having the chance to feel that and for the beautiful sport of Hockey! I remember getting into my very first fight on the Ice and the way that had made me feel a different sort of electricity running through me but it wasn't the same as when I had first stepped onto the ice feeling, it was a different type of electrical feeling with a tad of nervousness but most of all their was some sort of loneliness to it and a sort of overwhelming feeling of "I better not screw this up(Lose) or I'm going to let down the entire arena type feeling " but once I had dropped the other player, I remember my first feeling and thought was for the other player and hoping he was ok, and how I remember how fast it changed from at first wanting to tear his head off, to then a sort of remorseful and concern for the other guy, and then within a split second of hearing everyone in the stands all going crazy and clapping and cheering. At first it was all confusing but also uthoric all at the Sametime! But I didn't realize that after that I would have this sort of stamp or expectation of being that same player afterwards and for the first few years it was great! But then after awhile it started to make me lose that beautiful and wonderful feeling I had always had for the sport, and over the next few years it changed me as a person and the once love I had for the sport. And eventually would be the 1 of very few reasons why I had stopped playing and losing all interest for the sport. I don't know how we can ever change this in hockey because it is also important to have fighting or enforcers in Hockey as it is a very beautiful but also can be dangerous sport, and I think without enforcers we will start to see alot more guys getting badly injured, because with enforcers it sends a message to the other teams to not touch or hit other players. I hope that you are doing better now and I hope that you live a long and happy life, and I hope that you have the same love and passion for the sport as you probably had when u first started playing! Keep your head up and hope to one day see you on the big stage playing! Cheers
I met Boogaard when he was in the WHL and teaching in a hockey camp. He was a great guy, and I still have the jersey he signed. He deserved better support, and the NHL failed him.
I also got to meet him, and get this, Pavel Dimitra, at a function at Jim Lupient Infiniti, back in 08-09 I got there autographs, and photos, with both of them, Derek also sighed my book "The Code" Fighting and retaliation in the NHL. by Ross Berstien. Derek was so gracious! but by then he was super hurting, and i had no idea..... This was in Golden Valley Minn.
You are right and his family failed him. He got them millions and then they need pity dead kid money.
Boogard was awesome
A lot of people failed him.
He deserves no support. NHL supported him by giving him a job in the first place.
There should be no place for fights in hockey. NHL made rooms for goons, for so many years.. think of all the small talented players got their job stolen because NHL made rooms for goons.
I just watched this again. I can't help getting tears in my eyes. RIP Derek. I never knew what a good guy Todd Fedoruk is. He definitely has my respect.
NEGUS MBARKA dude stfu....
what do you know if fedoruk was a good guy. he talk just a couple of minutes. you cant know if he is a good guy.
I was pleasantly surprised at how gentle of a guy Fedoruk seems.
@@jasonguiboche9916 when you get your face broken it humbles you real quick
As a Boxer I can attest to the fact that you can Train for Speed, Timing, Footwork, Endurance, Strength But there is nothing you can do to make your Brain more resilient. Very sad story for any young man to pass away a 28. God Bless him and his family.
Having a big thick skull helps
amen brother.
Not starting stuff would help....😮
you can strengthen your neck and jaw muscles but to your point no the brain isn’t a muscle you can physically strengthen
I'll say it again, I played my whole life and was an enforcer. I also am an addict and that's started during my sophomore year in college. I eventually had to stop playing due to my addiction and I can't believe Derek was able to still play at the highest level and be an enforcer while being an addict. He's such a tough guy and I'm truly heartbroken he's gone
You guys and many other sports people do it for what?? Love of the game is laughable to say.....at the end of the day if you get past colleges or upper leagues it 100% comes down to money!! Sure it might be something u love and get paid to do....but at the upper levels money is the motivator. And for what....A miserable life and to make chump change from the mega millionairs at ur own demise!!?? Not all are like that and those are the ones that have something to show for it in the end
n2cable I was going to say "someone's got to do it", but i I think the modern NHL has evolved out from having any enforcers left. I think each team will always need guys that are willing to drop the gloves when necessary, but single purpose enforcers are all but gone. The game is too skilled
@@lancemilliken9078 I see ur point. And it is valid. But i just hate to see young guys mess themselves and others up for a buck or a beliefe it has to be that way. The NHL could do alot about it. SUspentions etc. Dont get me wrong..it would change the game...but maybe for the better. Now a days if you ruin a guys career it can escalate off the ice too in todays era we live in. And it seems thats where this is heading
I don't like the word 'addict' but I took pain pills for a decade. late 20's and 30's and even on occasion now.
*The medicine is addicting to ALL humans. not just addicts..
*There needs to be a better pain medicine..
But it's the way that The Elctricity companies own 99% of all patents for wireless energy etc..
They will protect their $ at all cost..Ahole POS!
n2cable someone like u could never understand. I never played at a high level, but when i did play hockey, it was my life. If u love the game that much and it makes you who u are, you'll do anything to keep playing.
One of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Tried to help him out through dance class in Grade 12 at PGSS (just imagine this 6'6" guy learning to cha-cha!) and he couldn't be more humble or gracious (although perhaps not graceful). You're still missed all the time, Derek. Rest peacefully.
Pgss???
Wait I know Derek played for the cougars when he was 17, but did he go to PGSS for his Grade 12 year?
Thought he dropped out.
Are u forgetting Rob Gronkowski?
@@camgriffin4003 dude, what's your point?
RIP Derek. You put it all on the line and we'll never forget you. Hope you're in a better place, brother.
JJJ J you must be a little kid... you dont get it yet... you will understand soon
He lived his dream , it's not a life for most of us, but to him it was everything . May he rest in peace .
Thanks to his family for sharing this story. RIP BoogyMan
Im not a Wild fan but i must say the boogeyman was a beast...the only player i use this term for. To all u Min. Wild fans please retire this mans jersey he might of not played for that long but the impact he made in ur city is amazing. Put the 24 in the rafters.
Matt dumba asked boogards family for permission to wear his number. Not sure what the awnser was.
+TheMNbeast1 They kindly said, yes. Class act to all.
+Mr. SnapShot Matt was the first to ask for it, and did wear "Boogeyman's" 24 number. But Matt is no longer a Wild member.
+Eric M yeah he is
+Wowmoregaming Matt was placed on waivers.
Thank you to the Boogaard family for sharing his story. I'm by no means a knuckler like he was but have taken numerous checks resulting in long days in the dark not eating and throwing up. I get aggressive now for no reason. I'm going to get checked out. This video means a lot to me.
Rest Easy Derek.
get some advice and help now. don't wait. get well.
good luck in your journey
Did you get checked?
Good luck buddy
Patrick - We hope you got help!
Fighting isn't want killed Boogard. The lack of attention and care to players suffering with concussions is what killed him. But it is easier to blame the rules of the game than the responsibility of the NHL to care for their players.
+Josh LaMarra Agreed
+Bobbo Morgan hockey isn't as bad as football. with football most of the brain trauma reported is with linemen who hit their heads on every play. However, like the NHL, the NFL refuses to take responsibilty. I'd prefer they don't change the rule to the game, but just accept responsibility.
+Charles Benjamin depends how you look at it. It was ultimately the Drug abuse that killed him. The team and NHL are responsible on that end. As we are finding out now, team doctors would give players whatever they needed to keep playing. I am sure this trend continues today as we saw with Mike Richards.
+Bobbo Morgan yeah, Rugby is by far the toughest sport on the planet played by only the toughest human beings. I loved playing, probably the most complex of contact sports too.
+Bobbo Morgan I am American haha. but I've seen those and the "Yes mom I still play rugby" ones. Such a great sport. Australian rugby is even more insane.
I have the highest respect for you Fedoruk. I will never forget seeing this live.
Same, when i watched Glass take on Ryan Reaves i thought the same thing. It takes guts to back up the talk, even if you bite off more than you can chew. I have a lot of respect for the enforcers and understand the role of fighting in hockey.
I can't feel anything other than sadness after experiencing this doc. Prayers for DB's family and may he rest in peace.
Concussions are no joke. One of the saddest days in Minnesota sports history is when we lost The Boogyman.
Konrad McKay born 00/00/79 ??
also bill Masterson of Mn north stares
I agree with you totally, what a sad ending for this young man 😢😢😢
You can tell it was so hard for Sommerfeld to admit that it wasn't worth it for him... So much love for the sport, but just knows the side effects had a serious impact on his life. So much respect for these guys. 🙏🏼
Let’s just not talk about the thing that actually killed him, legal drug dealers.
Yeah dude years of fighting every other night had nothing to do with it. Hockey can do nothing wrong.
Agreed but your missing the point of why he had to take them
Exactly right.
@@woahfarout8793 Hockey was the reason he was taking oxy but oxy and alcohol are what killed him. If his situation was more monitored he would still be alive. Yes he had CTE and it is awful but that's not what killed him like this video seems to want to imply.
@@bobdolland4628 Yeah I know what killed him. The point is that he was taking oxycontin to play freaking hockey. That is a failure and a disgrace of the National Hockey League that cannot be ignored.
All the people in this seem like good people, Derek too. I feel so bad for his family. His brother being unable to finish the story of finding him was brutal.
I just finished the book, Boy on Ice today. It’s a brilliant piece of writing and story-telling. I wanted to see the Times documentary, and am glad to have had the opportunity. Thanks to everyone involved, especially the Boogaard family. 💕❤️
Not only getting hit, but getting hit a day after having been hit.
*I.e. receiving a concussion after already having a concussion* .
Decidedly not good
Profit was made and so we move on, capitalism at its finest. Even when a plane crash and hundreds of people die, in more cases than not, the airline makes money. Same here, system abuses people, the danger is known, but who cares - profit
Kaplis Lemesis families normally get paid out but what would you want to happen? Shut down air travel?
@@dillonhinkle6985 Dear Dillon: 1) When an airliner crashes, that's an accident. Guys hitting each other in an HHL game is predictable, not an accident. 2) Whether we're talking about the airline industry or NHL hockey or any other business, the Capitalist owners ALWAYS value financial profit over human life, usually by saving money through "cost cutting" measures. In the airline industry, it often happens by delaying maintenance and deferring mandated safety modifications to planes. In the NHL, "cost cutting" usually means not giving injured players the medical attention that they need. ... jkulik919@gmail.com
@@JosephKulik2016 So I guess 9/11 was an accident?
@@emperorpalpatine1228 9/11 was an inside job
I never really followed hockey, but always had a lot of respect for the sport. This has really opened my eyes on hockey enforcers. They have to be by far the toughest guys in all of sports both physically and mentally. Boxers and MMA fighters train months and months for a fight that is in a controlled environment against other fighters in their weight classes gloves, hand wraps, and pads on a softer canvas. Football players play one game a week with pads and helmets. These guys potentially have to get in a bare knuckle fight on ice every other day.
by far? no. you could argue all of those sports you listed are tougher
How dare you cut off Minnesota's hockey song... in all seriousness, this guy was an anomaly, a one in a billion player who was feared and respected on the ice, and loved and revered off of it. His time here in Minnesota will never be forgotten. Rest easy Derek.
I live in Minnesota. Played hockey all my life. Love Boogaard, but that song sucked then and sucks today. The wild is also one of the worst names in not only the NHL, but all of sports. - bleacher report
When he said I sat in the box and couldn’t close my mouth if you ever broke your jaw that hits home
Man I have never heard of the boogey man as I live in Australia but this came on my feed and watched it. So much respect for this guy
Heartbreaking. As a Pens fan I'd never wish this on any player on any team.
I just want everybody to get home safe.
Rip boogie man...the true heavey weight!!!
Hahahaha hahahaha 🤣😂🤣 heavyweight...lol
@@johnfive2440 yes heavyweight
Dear Chris: It's hockey fans with a DISGUSTING attitude like Yours who are really responsible for this man's death and for the head injuries of many other NHL players. Those of YOU who cheer this violence and pay to see it encourage this to keep happening. YOUR entertainment is to enjoy seeing other human beings deliberately injure each other all for YOUR viewing pleasure, and YOU should be Ashamed. The fact that you refer to this man as the "Boogie Man" shows How SICK YOU are. Hockey doesn't need to be violent at all, except for Sick Fans like YOU who demand seeing violence. Why don't YOU stop thinking about YOURSELF and start thinking about other people for a change, that is, if YOU are even capable of doing that. ... jkulik919@gmail.com
@@JosephKulik2016 i talked to Chris and he said its hockey so get lost
My favorite hockey player ever. He was super nice and genuine! I met him a half a dozen times
That’s awesome 🫡
The way Boogaard just looks at someone when he beats them... Legendary
Dineth Altmann Exactly! No words... no disrespectful body language just a Stare and then skates off.. Legendary
Todd Fedoruk is one of my all time favorites as a Flyers fan. Hearing him giving props to Boogie man is huge.
All those tough guys respect each other.
I was a die hard fan of the Wild during Boogy's run, it really was an amazing spectacle watching him on the ice. He was loved by everyone here in the State of Hockey. He was a true legend.
Remember Bob Probert, he'll also be remembered for being one of the best NHL enforcer's.
Thanks to all who participated and this, especially the Boogaard family. No question... It was extremely difficult. But this needs to be discussed.
CTE is not just from concussions but also from the sub-concussive contact that is constantly experienced by a player throughout each game.
Why everyone wants to ignore this very important fact is beyond me. The game itself is far more dangerous than the fighting. Far more.
@@defeatignorance8681 liberals like you wanna get rid of it, it’s a choice no one is forced to play. Get over it!
@@defeatignorance8681 fighting is way worst. Players don't receive that much hits in a game . It's not like football.
Enforcers receive constant blows to the head.
@@simonroy2123 Do you have a medical background? Have you studied the issue like the people at BU have? If not, your comments here are without merit - a worthless "opinion", rooted in ignorance.
@@4orrcountry no i haven't. But the rate of cte is much higher with enforcers. Hockey is a risky sport i agree, but taking enforcers of the game will reduce the rate of cte for sure.
How can you not love this guy? Rest in peace buddy. - from a Hockey fan in Michigan.
Being a big hockey player, (6'7, 220lbs) I'm expected to be an enforcer, I've had my share of hockey fights winning most. I'm 15 now and still wish I played more for skill instead of an enforcer
Yyi
If this doesn't make you get choked up and get a tear out two in your eyes, you don't have a heart. Well worth the time to watch.
Boogaard played for the Houston Aeros during the NHL lockout and he was a real joy to watch in person. I’m still bummed he’s gone, but I’m sure glad I got to see him play in person many times
Thank you for posting this awesome documentary!
Derek will always be my idol a guy who can fight through his life like that, and take all that damage just doing what he loved is inspirational to me.
I come back to watch this every few months.
i know nothing about hockey but this gave me the chills
Rest in Peace Boogeyman! Missing you still in 2022
30 minutes do not do the man justice. RIP
Patrick Palony yeah He was one bad dude. I would have loved to seen him play for the Flyers
Alright, 69th like 😎
Cam Griffin Nice
It’s hard to get off of those pills. God Bless this guy. Heaven treating you right
I was lucky to see Boogaard in person at MSG on October 15, 2010. He was a great person, I still think about him over a decade later. Very sad what happened to him, RIP Derek.
Amazing doc! Thanks for posting.
Even tho I'm a MN fan.. what I find disturbing is this woman saying Boogaard "would often crush the blades of his skates" ???? WTF??? as a Gunsmith and metallurgist.. his weight alone has NOTHING to do with it... There's NO WAY he could "crush the blades of his skates" as you state @ 3:05. You ma'am.. are a biased, uninformed liar.
Mark Campeau thats what i thought too, and i know nothing about skates
RIP Derek. May more men be like you and we will know peace on this earth. Soft and true like a child and hard as the hardest rock in defense of it. Thank you.
5 years on and his story is definitely having an effect.
RIP. Truly a legend in the state of Minnesota although I wish he never had those fights it was an honor watching him.
This is really hard to watch, (in fact i'm scrolling down to avoid watching the fights near the end here) but as a hockey fan i think a very important and pertinent piece.
RIP Derek.
I did the same thing
Here after watching Rempi's sudden rise to fame for taking on all comers almost every game he's now played. Hope Rempi looks at situations like this and doesn't follow the same path.
Still my favorite Wild player...R.I.P. Boogeyman...
@floyd schake Probert never played for the wild. He served time in Minnesota tho lol.
It’s a great but sad story. There are more stories like this out there . Like a lot of things you don’t see the things going on behind the lines.
unfortunately, another issue seems to be getting lost here. What about the opiate abuse and the docs who are prescribing them as they are tic tacs? A lot of NFL & NHL players are abusing these meds chronically. I wonder how much of their issues might be related
to the combination of the concussions and drugging and drinking? I'm sure prolonged painkiller abuse cooks many brains cells indiscriminately. I mean how much of Derek's behaviour was credited to the abuse because it seems to be overlooked as a primary reason of his death? I empathize for Derek, not so much for his decision to be an enforcer in the nhl and knowingly aware of his exposure to damages as a result of physical brutality, but rather for his sickness involving the painkillers. It's taken me 10 years to finally feel normal after 6 years of dependency to pain meds myself. I wonder how many brown stains there are in my brain? I hope Derek is in peace now because I have a sense that his death was not accidental by any means. Very sad.
+Michael Kurynow What medicine were you on?
I know the age of this comment, but I wanted to say - Boogaard did what most addicts do - doctor shopped. He had multiple team docs, personal docs, etc prescribing and to avoid THEIR suspicions, also bought on the street. His brother also got scripts to hand over, and in fact, handed him the pills when Derek got home from rehab that very night. He was actually convicted of a charge relating (and is why he is missing from this documentary). I'm not saying he wasn't overprescribed in the first place, he was, but to get as many as he did, he had help. Aaron has something I'm sure we can't all imagine to life with, but it was Derek who had the requests. If Aaron hadn't given them to him, he would have most likely gotten them somewhere else or one of many, many hidden stashes addicts keep in their homes.
Opioids do not make tau abnormal and make it spread around the brain. You don't know what you are talking about.
Congratulations on your sobriety!
Thank you! this is a good example of people over looking big Corporations dealing death for 💰
I played a lot of hockey and was always more of a fast skater/playmaking passer type. While I would try and play tough, I always respected the kids on my team who would stick up for us and werent afraid to get really scrappy. Its so much more intense at the NHL level.... I never saw him play but I know he would be a fan favourite on the Oilers if he ever played there. RIP Derek :(
I am from Minnesota and also a huge Wild fan and we miss him every game. Even when he played for New York he was always around in Downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis doing a lot of good. We will never forget him RIP Boogyman!!
RIP Derek Boogaard. My condolences to the Boogaard family. And as for Gary Bettman`s views on at concussions at 33:53 he starts his hypocrisy jargon.
Minny Loves you Boogaard
14:40 that stuff about the fighting and having to suppress the emotions after a fight, was some thing i never thought about until he said that. its def 100% true, there's more than physical damage when fighting like that id say
what if a Hockey Game broke out in a ufc match
I see what you did there clever man. I like the cut of your jib.
What if a UFC fight turned into a hockey match.
Look up avalanche vs the red wing and you will
Rodney Dangerfield joke
no disrespect mate but two different sport hockey is hard UFC on another level of fighting
I'm back here after 9 years, so interesting.
Very good documentary, sad to see what is happening to these young players, hope they come up with a solution and stop these violent fights so no other family would suffer the pain this family faced..
25:19- Lundqvist's expression was hilarious...
dude was one bad mother. Love that’. Such a sad deal he passed away, but I love that the fans chanting his name
Prolly gave that kid such a great feeling
I was lucky enough to have met Derek with this time in Minnesota, all I can say is he was one of the nicest guys I've met. He was with Todd Fedoruk back in 07-08.He was great with all the fans and kids that wanted to meet him. He was truly loved in the State of Hockey. It's saddening to hear this story, and to think how this impacted his life and his families life behind closed doors is very saddening. I don't know what the league will do about this topic but hearing scouts looking at kids being beasts or how their fighting skills translate into the league is overboard. There has been a movement towards skilled big guys who can fight which is good. I just wanted to pay my respect to a man who had a big impact in our community and is a legend in hearts. R.I.P.
I played my whole life and had a role as an enforcer during my last few years in club and then in college. I wasn't a big guy but didn't mind going up against the big guys because it shows your team your willing to put your personal safety on the line just to protect your boys and win the game. When Boogie came to the Rangers I fell in love with him. He was the man that was not only feared, but also adored by his teammates because he would do everything to protect them. We miss you Derek. The rangers fans miss you a lot. Share this video everyone.
27 year old Canadian with many hockey fights under my belt but “ your not gonna take punching out of boxing, and your not going to take fighting out of hockey” has to be one of the dumbest arguments I’ve heard about the debate
And he lives on, immortalized.
got absolute chills at 16:03 when he came on the ice and the fans went crazy. unbelievable fighter and teammate. miss him on the Wild almost every game. R.I.P. to my favorite player ever.
Now we realize that he should not have fought. He went to great lengths to be a fighter, sustain so many serious injuries in his short life, have to take so much medication, have to go to Rehabilitation two or three times and die at the hands of these things happening. Let’s hope that professionals learn a lesson from this. ***New England Patriots-let’s take this seriously ***.
Vancouver guy canucks fan here but i watched hockey alot during boogards best years when he was with the wild. You knew he was a big deal when u were worried for your team fighting him
met him in saskatoon at a blades game, signed autographs for everybody seemed like like a very likable charismatic kid
Love how they showed him vs Mirasty in that picture from the paper. Mirasty was 5’9”
I’d love to see Mirasty in the NHL fr
I'm glad they are talking about the mental stress side of enforcers. I feel sorry for these guys; so much pressure and injuries -- physical as well as mental.
There had to be signs. Hopefully Coaches and GM’s and even players will keep a closer eye on the talent in the ice and intervene when signs start to appear
The fact that these pain medication remains legal makes my blood boil.
Being prior military and dealing with the va. The doctors there give out pain killiers to vets like candy, turning them into junkies. I have seen this first hand so its not just hockey players or pro athletes with these problems. To my original thought I do dgree with you these drugs need to away.
I hear you Samuel! I've got all these anxiety and antidepressants in my cupboard they gave me and I'm afraid to take them even once. I smoke bud and that helps but unfortunately it's still illegal. I can't even get the legal medical care I need. The doc at the va said I have been doing much better and asked what I was doing so I told him I've been smoking bud. He said "whatever it is your doing, keep doing it because it's working".
not all who take pain killers are junkies, wtf is wrong with guys
Truf best comment on here!
21:20 that background music always gives me chills when listening
Every single fan in the Excel Center would watch the bench and every time Boogey stepped on the ice, didn’t matter the situation, WE ALL started shouting “BOOOOOO”! I miss him so much. He was why we got so excited about going to games! So sad what happened. But he’ll always be remembered favorably here in MN. Friggin love Boogey
Y'all basically murdered him
@@MG-dj7jvlmao you kidding? You’re gonna blame MN? Blame the NHL, every single team had people getting pain pills for enforcers.
He went to different teams after MN, kept getting pills.
And last I checked, these are adults playing hockey. They have free will
Troll.
It’s cool how he wrote so much
I’m a canadiens fan since birth but Derek boogaard is still hands down my favourite player ever to live, my boyfriend plays the same roll and just got his jaw dislocated in a fight last week and he’s still wants to continue playing, I’m terrified for him to keep getting hurt all the time and one day dying from these injuries
I met him briefly at a motorcycle show at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. He was surprisingly shy and quiet, but very friendly.
Gary Bettman, what a peice of work. That was disgraceful
+Tony Teichroeb what do you expect from a New Yorker who runs the nhl?!
+John Nguyen ruins*
what is bettman supposed to do .close the professional hockey.did you see the names of the 4 players who were diagnosed with this stuff ,one was Rick martin.i remember him good offensive player with buffalo. remember the French connection line .well Martin was hardly a physical fighting type of player. which tells me the game itself can do this to people. now the fighters may suffer it more often but the nature of any contact sport can do this so what is society supposed to do.ban all sports or make them as safe as you can.
There's really nothing more you can do. Sports, specifically hockey and football, are by nature very physical & violent with the will to win encouraging highly charged emotions, which in turn stimulates the players' need to physically punish each other in order to be the better player and prove superiority. There's only so much you can do to make a sport "safer" by instituting rules against violence and more protective equipment, but that's not going to do anything to lessen the players' instincts to dominate each other in the name of winning the game and for their own personal glory of being victorious.
Tony Teichroeb: You are so correct. He needs to put his loved ones out there and let them take a few blows and wind-up with brain injuries, yes plural, and then see how he addresses the topic. These guys will not do ANYTHING until it hits them in the wallet! They could could not care less for these guys, as long as the cash keeps flowing!
RIP Derek. Warriors are a rare breed and you were a legend. Rest easy.
The NHL has changed over the last few years. Fighting has gone down, but still exists and always will have a place in the game. However, the "goons" are no longer staying in the lineup just to fight and then sit at the end of the bench the rest of the game. If you can't contribute to the team in another way besides fighting, you will not be around long which is a good thing. Keep fighting in, and keep the goons out.
+HockeyFan1990 Yes, I agree. Keep fighting in and don't penalise it any more than it is right now, but there shouldn't be people whose job it is to fight.
No fighting = more injuries and cheap shots
@@JDavis0017 This. Also, someone who calls an enforcer a goon doesn't know the difference. But I agree, I don't think there should be guys who JUST fight. You should find a player who is good enough to play, but is still able to scare the other team physically and fight when they need to.
@@JDavis0017 brilliant comment. Im from minnesota and i watched boogaard
Wow, im from Australia, never seen a hockey game, that blows me away that they have a guy that has to fight, the refs watch, Im going to start watching the show now.
Bettman is a real goof. No wonder he is booed EVERY TIME he speaks to a crowd when presenting the Stanley Cup. He makes me sick to my stinkin' stomach.
@True skate rat That's going a bit far.... best thing?? How? I don't hate the guy like some do but how is he so great?
@True skate rat hahaha POS
As a Rangers fan, good christ. I met Boogs in person at a preseason game. Literally months before his untimely death. I myself struggle daily with mental health and suicidal thoughts. Boog was, hands down, the most gracious and humble man I ever met.
Rest easy, Derek. Rest easy.
R.I.P boogey man the nhl misses you...
The vast majority of concussions in hockey come from body checks not fighting I think it was mcgratten that said, " I've been fighting in hockey most of my life and I have less concussions than Crosby." It's the speed and hard hits that cause about 95% of concussions. Fighting is about 5%
@CJ Dillon he probably isn't, but three doctors did a study and concluded that, "64.2% of NHL concussions were caused by bodychecking, and only 28.4% of concussions and 36.8% of suspected concussions were caused by illegal incidents."
@steveerickson4341 that may be true for most hockey players. But for the ones getting in fights every game for years and years, it’s the fighting.
Because the sample size of fights is much smaller
Derek looks like his Mama. RIP Boogeyman, you were a true warrior
Well said fella
Very informative and unfortunate!! Derek was a great man IMO and a great hockey enforcer! Like it or not! God Bless brother!!!! God Bless the family!!
I love hockey, most exciting sport on the planet and the most gifted athletes.
Such a good review, thank you!!! Please make more!!
Most the concussions are from body checks at full speed. Shoulder pads are causing more concussions then fists.
dont play then
@Oh No lol
I've had more concussions than you can count
Makes me cry, every time.
Bettman is an insult to respect. If fighting is 'not allowed" there would a commensurate punishment that would 'not allow" it to happen again. The same for Tripping, hooking, slashing, cross-checking which are also "not allowed."
If it was allowed, play would just carry on like a body check or a shot on net
;&#$^
@@blakegamingtv7513 if it wasn't allowed, refs wouldn't just stand back & watch & the commentators wouldn't start hyping it up like it's an MMA fight.
I met Derek when he played for the Prince George Cougars and he was a great kid,great smile and yet so much harder for him than most players to get to his ultimate dream. My signed jersey also had Zdeno Chara,Eric Brewer,Chris Mason,Dan Hamhuis, and he was among the true champs with his hopes and dreams and his courage with how things changed over the years. I will never forget his smile and how awesome he was with young kids and everyone,so genuine and no airs. May he be at peace and always with us in our hearts.
Good documentary. The highs and lows of his life and career.
15:35 was a special moment though for him and the fans.
This is a really well done and effective piece. I remember when it came out in the digital New York Times years ago. I sent the link to a number of friends.
Have sympathy because a guy passed away, but I have a hard time with anyone talking about how fighting caused head injuries etc. Of course it did, everyone knows that. Him and his brother taught a fighting school in Regina, so they were just as guilty of promoting it and know the risks involved. No one forces these guys to play in the NHL.
FWIW, the purpose and main objective of their school was to teach enforcers how to protect themselves in a fight.
Do a bit of research before you flap your hairy palms on the keyboard.
Dotz Productions that was his choice. Most guys in the nhl are dropouts. Not many junior players graduate
"They choose to play". Choice is complicated. You don't choose if you're a type of person that wants to be better informed on the science. Can't choose how much you are driven by concern for your future and family vs the immediate money and adulation if these choices aren't something you even consider.
Seems absurd to get this philosophical, but really our society has a too simplistic understanding of "choice".
RIP DEREK MISS YOU FRIEND KK
NHL......how many players have fell to the side like Derek? It starts at the junior level where owners do not care. I have seen and experienced everything Derek went through but I am still alive. I fought for a job to make the NHL, protected big name players, who stayed longer in the NHL. The league, in my day ignored mental health issues. Players who I protected, with top positions in the NHL, to this day, turn their heads and forget who I am. (this hurts the most) The demons are there on a daily basis. People around me have no clue about how I feel inside. You hide the depression, you hide the addiction and try to live a normal life. Players like Derek and myself no the reality.
Hey big guy, I hope you find peace that you deserve! I myself played hockey from the age of 4yrs old up until my early 20's but I had lost that passion at the early age of 17yrs old and I had great chances to making it to the big show, but I remembered when I was a young kid at around the young age of 8 or 9yrs i had a special love for hockey that I would wake up hours earlier and go sleep on my hockey bag full of my equipment till it was time to go. And I remember I use to love walking into the arena's and loved the smell of the ice, the electricity in the air and once I stepped onto the ice I would feel this overwhelming joy, satisfaction and excitement that to this day I have not ever experienced with anything else. I can't explain the feeling and I will be forever grateful for having the chance to feel that and for the beautiful sport of Hockey! I remember getting into my very first fight on the Ice and the way that had made me feel a different sort of electricity running through me but it wasn't the same as when I had first stepped onto the ice feeling, it was a different type of electrical feeling with a tad of nervousness but most of all their was some sort of loneliness to it and a sort of overwhelming feeling of "I better not screw this up(Lose) or I'm going to let down the entire arena type feeling " but once I had dropped the other player, I remember my first feeling and thought was for the other player and hoping he was ok, and how I remember how fast it changed from at first wanting to tear his head off, to then a sort of remorseful and concern for the other guy, and then within a split second of hearing everyone in the stands all going crazy and clapping and cheering. At first it was all confusing but also uthoric all at the Sametime! But I didn't realize that after that I would have this sort of stamp or expectation of being that same player afterwards and for the first few years it was great! But then after awhile it started to make me lose that beautiful and wonderful feeling I had always had for the sport, and over the next few years it changed me as a person and the once love I had for the sport. And eventually would be the 1 of very few reasons why I had stopped playing and losing all interest for the sport. I don't know how we can ever change this in hockey because it is also important to have fighting or enforcers in Hockey as it is a very beautiful but also can be dangerous sport, and I think without enforcers we will start to see alot more guys getting badly injured, because with enforcers it sends a message to the other teams to not touch or hit other players. I hope that you are doing better now and I hope that you live a long and happy life, and I hope that you have the same love and passion for the sport as you probably had when u first started playing! Keep your head up and hope to one day see you on the big stage playing! Cheers
As a huge hockey and especially Flyers fan, what do you suggest they do?