Deadly Mix of Alcohol and Oxycodone Responsible for Boogaard's Death

Derek Boogaard has been respected as one of the toughest players in the NHL (which is saying something) for many years.  What fans - and even teammates - didn't know, was that Boogaard was fighting another battle off of the ice.

"Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker revealed Friday that Boogaard died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and the powerful prescription painkiller, Oxycodone."

From the New York Ranger website:  Boogaard family issues statement.

News broke of Boogaard's death last week, but no specific details regarding the cause were released until today.  I had a suspicion that his death was drug or alcohol related when I learned that foul play was ruled out.

This is an extremely unfortunate situation, and my thoughts and prayers are still with his family.