The death of Derek Boogaard has been ruled as an accident by the Hennepin County, Minn. medical examiner, the result of a fatal mixture of oxycodone and alcohol. The news comes via various reports from Newsday and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Boogaard, 28, was found dead in his apartment by family members one week ago. The New York Rangers forward, known for his toughness off the ice and his generosity and loving attitude off it, had suffered a concussion this past season and hadn't played hockey in months, despite being cleared to play late in the season.
There were reports that he was involved with the NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program, but there's no indication whether or not the now-known circumstances of his death are related to that at all, and jumping to that conclusion would be premature without more details.
In reality, people mix oxycodone and other pain killers with alcohol all the time. It's dangerous, and it's the reason hockey lost a great guy last week. A tragedy. His funeral will be held on Saturday in Regina, Sask.
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