Derek Boogaard was an enforcer for the National Hockey League, with teams including the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers. As an enforcer, he subjected himself to dangerous physical contact that could lead to serious head trauma, chronic pain, and drug addiction. Unfortunately, at just 28-years-old, Boogaard died due to an accidental drug and alcohol overdose while recovering from a concussion.
This tragic story has been documented in a documentary film that aims to explore what went wrong in Boogaard’s life which led to his untimely death. The movie reveals how the size of fighters has increased drastically over time, leading to higher forces impacting the brain during fights – yet neurologically, the brain itself remains unchanged.
The documentary provides an insightful look into Derek Boogaard’s life and death that will leave viewers with a greater understanding of why these unfortunate tragedies happen all too often in professional sports. It is also a cautionary tale of how substance abuse can be used as a coping mechanism for dealing with psychological pain and physical injuries caused by physical contact sports. Viewers are encouraged to watch this important film and gain greater insight on a tragedy that affected many lives beyond Derek Boogaard himself.
