Derek Boogaard died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and alcohol on May 13, 2011. Boogaard was only 28-years-old. After a hockey career that extended between the Western Hockey League and National Hockey League, Boogaard’s head injuries mounted and ultimately caused him to develop the neuro-degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), that was diagnosed posthumously.
Boogaard played in the NHL for the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers. In his 277 career games, he earned 16 points (three goals, 13 assists), fought more than 60 times, and accumulated 589 penalty minutes.
A combination of subconcussive and concussive hits to Boogaard’s head throughout his career caused him to suffer from traumatic brain injuries that led to CTE developing.