An autopsy revealed New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard died due to a lethal mix of the painkiller oxycodone and alcohol, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Additionally, the Medical Examiner has dubbed Boogaard’s deat “accidental,” allaying previous concerns that a concussion sustained in a Decemberr 9th fight against Matt Carkner may have been to blame. The timing of the announcement offers closure to his family, who will lay him to rest Saturday morning.
Boogaard was found dead in his apartment last Friday, 10 days shy of what would have been his 29th birthday. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native joined the Rangers as a free agent in the summer of 2010 after spending the first five years of his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild. In 22 appearances as a Ranger, he scored one goal and tallied one assist.
The Rangers have yet to release an official statement regarding the autopsy results, but their website did offer this tribute to Boogaard on Monday.