Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rangers' Boogaard Entered Counseling Before Death
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 15, 2011
Modified May 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 15, 2011
Modified May 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Following the mysterious death of Rangers forward Derek Boogaard, authorities are saying that the results of yesterday's autopsy "may not be known for up to two weeks," but that police have ruled out foul play. Boogaard, who was found by family members in his Minneapolis apartment Friday evening, had been "receiving counseling" in the NHL's substance abuse program in the weeks leading up to his death, the Post reports. However, the Post's sources are careful to stress that "it would be unfair to draw inferences" from his counseling.
Given Boogaard's stature as a prolific fighter on the ice, his family has agreed to donate the athlete's brain to the Sports Legacy Institute at Boston University for research on concussive brain injuries. His brother Ryan told the Star Tribune that "Derek would have liked to assist with research on a matter that had affected him later in his career," referring to the concussion that knocked Boogaard out of the 2010-2011 season early, and at one point prevented him from leaving his apartment for three weeks.
The Sports Legacy Institute studies Chronic Traumatic Encephalophay, a disease caused by "repetitive trauma to the brain." CTE is reportedly found in "30 of the 40 athlete brains" at the center, and is believed to have contributed to the death of famous hockey enforcer Reggie Fleming.
Tagged
Brain Injuries
Brain Trauma
concussions
derek boogaard
hockey
new york rangers
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens Public Library online system downed by ransomware hack, officials said
Officials are uncertain why the library was targeted.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Nov 5, 2026 at 12:39 p.m. ET
Early Addition: How every single NYC neighborhood voted in the governor's race
Because a map has been released, here are your early links: Vineland data center still running on generators, dead chicken disposal on the Upper West Side, BagelFest returns and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: How every single NYC neighborhood voted in the governor's race
Because a map has been released, here are your early links: Vineland data center still running on generators, dead chicken disposal on the Upper West Side, BagelFest returns and more.
By
James Ramsay
DSNY worker arrested for killing a woman in Brooklyn while driving a garbage truck
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Brooklyn fire kills 6 people, injures 9 others in Sunset Park, officials said
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Mamdani pledged support for NYC street vendors. Now they’re facing a crackdown.
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .