Derek Boogaard Memorial

Derek Boogaard, United Heroes League friend and supporter, will be sadly missed. His legend lives on with “Boogaard’s Boogaardian’s”. Derek and United Heroes League started “Boogaard’s Boogaardian’s” to send military children to hockey camp shortly after United Heroes League was formed. Derek loved working with the military children. Upon Derek’s death, the Boogaard family asked that all memorials go to Defending The Blue Line® for “Boogaard’s Boogaardian’s”. To this day, the memorials continue to come in memory of  him. Recently, the family of Derek Boogaard donated 150 tickets to Defending The Blue Line® for the Minnesota Wild’s tribute night on Sunday, November 27th, 2011. On that same night the Minnesota Wild and the Boogaard Family made a large donation TO UNITED HEROES LEAGUE.Derek passed away on  May 13, 2011.

Boogaard_United Heroes League__2__largeMinnesota Wild Tribute Night To Derek Boogaard

November 27, 2011 – Thank you to the Boogaard Family and the Minnesota Wild for a donation of $16,500 given TO UNITED HEROES LEAGUE during the 2011 Tribute to Derek Boogaard. You can see all the photos of the special event on the right sidebar.

Derek Boogaard Wild Tribute Night

United Heroes League would like to convey a special thanks to all who have contributed in remembrance of Derek. Your gift will be put to good use as we continue to drive forward with the mission that he believed in and supported so much.

Comments from some of the donors:

R.I.P DB- U WERE LOVED IN NY ON AND OFF THE ICE. – Greg, CFB Borden, Ontario, Canada

In honor of Derek Boogaard & all of the others who succumb to depression and over medication. He was a joy to watch on the ice. Love the enforcers. – Craig Worrell

In appreciation of his commitment to Defending the Blue line and for his Parents support of me wearing number 24 for the Minnesota Wild. – Matt Cooke

In honor of the passing of Derek Boogaard. We will miss him on and off the ice. with this donation I hope to show that his legacy of hard work on the ice and big heart off the ice will live on beyond his passing. God bless Derek and his family and RIP.   Kelly Burnham of  Essex, MA

R.I.P Boogaard, my prayers go out to his family, friends, and everyone who had the luck to know such a great guy. You’ll be missed. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.   Jamy Baron of Great Neck, NY

The FDNY would like to extend our heartfelt sorrow for the sudden passing of Derek. He was a kind, generous and considerate person. Please let his friends, family, and teammates know that our prayers are with them during these tough moments. We will always remember him as a friend to our Department.
Fire Department, City of New York

I had the chance to spend time in the Hockey suites that Brent Burns set up for military fams…I really enjoyed and appreciated all that the Wild especially Burnzie and Boogaard did for our military. I sure do miss Boogaard….such a sweet sweet man…. God Bless his family and fans…God is taking good care of his heart here on earth and now up above.   Kari Rappoccio of MN

Derek Boogaard “A friend and teammate” Rest in peace my friend.   Jim Ramsay

Boogieman. RIP, Derek. You will live forever in the hearts of Minnesota Hockey fans.   Geo Rule

RIP Derek Boogaard. You will be greatly missed by all NYR fans.   Joey Neale-Jennings

Derek Boogaard We’re thinking about your family and will miss you in a Rangers sweater.   Kajo Paukert

In Memory of Derek Boogaard…..NewYorkRanger fans will miss you……MinnesotaWild fans will miss you…..NHL will miss you……your family & friends will miss you……RIP NYR#94.   Cynthia Wong

Derek Boogaard Thoughts and prayers to Derek’s family, friends and teammates.   Michelle Miura

In memory of Derek Boogaard. A great friend to many Minnesotans, including my good friend Jay.   Jeff Margolis

To Shane at United Heroes League: Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your colleagues at United Heroes League, as well as Derek Boogaard’s family and friends.  I know he cared a lot about military families and was quite generous-  we will always remember and appreciate that.  Erica Haray-Butcher

To Shane at United Heroes League: Tamy and I would like to send you our deepest sympathies about the loss of Derek. You introduced me to him last summer during a met and greet tour at the 133rd. He was such a genuine person. We had many laughs that afternoon. He was a good man; a great ambassador to the sport and to the United Heroes League foundation. We will sadly miss him.   Rich & Tamy Bachelor and Family

In hopes that your good works may live on.   Vivian Campbell

Derek Boogaard….you will truly be missed. RIP Boogeyman!   Amanda Power

I’m the fan of another team but saw enough of Boogaard to make me really respect him as a player and become a fan of his. After his tragic passing, I also learned about his work with Defending the Blue Line and came to respect him for his work with this cause. This is just my small way of saying “rest in peace Derek” and that many out there will miss you and the work you did.   Alexander Segovia

In memory of the “Boogieman” whom I will always fondly remember watching during his early playing days, first with the original Louisiana Icegators and later with the Houston Aeros. A first-class gentleman, to be sure. The Rangers, Wild, Aeros, and Gators teams and fans alike will miss you … Mike Greco from south LouisianaD

Former Ams Forward Aaron Boogaard to Honor Brother, Derek Boogaard

June 20, 2012 – By Annie Fowler, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, WA

Former Tri-City Americans forward Aaron Boogaard will be among several NHL and other hockey players hitting the ice today in Minneapolis for a charity game to benefit Defending the Blue Line.

Boogaard, 25, who spent last season with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League, is playing in memory of his older brother, Derek Boogaard, who died May 13, 2011, at age 28.

Derek Boogaard was an ardent supporter of Defending the Blue Line, starting Boogaard’s Boogaardians to send military children to hockey camp shortly after United Heroes League was formed. After Boogaard’s death, his family asked that all memorials go to Defending the Blue Line for Boogaard’s Boogaardians.

“This is my first game,” Aaron Boogaard said. “I’m not preparing to drop the gloves, that’s for sure. I’ve done a lot of work with all of these (military) guys. Last summer, my sister Krysten and I did sniper training with them. We’ve spent a lot of time in Minneapolis over the years. Derek always called it home. It’s a pleasure to go back.” Today’s game is at Ridder Arena at the University of Minnesota.

United Heroes League is a non-profit organization in Hastings, Minn., founded in 2009 by Shane Hudella. The organization ensures that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in hockey by providing free equipment, as well as hockey camps, special events and financial assistance for registration fees and other costs associated with hockey.

A first sergeant in the Army, Hudella will retire from the military at the end of June after 24 years of service. “I didn’t play a ton growing up,” Hudella said. “I got into hockey later in life and became a fanatic. During Desert Storm in 1991, our whole platoon gathered around a small TV and watched the (Minnesota) North Stars and (Pittsburgh) Penguins play for the (Stanley) Cup.”

Derek Boogaard played for the Minnesota Wild from 2005-10 before being traded to the New York Rangers, where he played part of the 2010-11 season before an injury cut his season short. Though he got traded from Minnesota, he continued to support United Heroes League.

“Derek was such an awesome guy on and off the ice,” Hudella said. “He was an NHL tough guy, but he would give you the shirt off of his back. I miss him dearly. We invited Aaron to come down and play. We wanted to continue Derek’s legacy, and a way to do that is to keep his family involved.”

Though the Boogaards are from Saskatchewan, they have great regard for the U.S. military. “The things they do, we can’t repay,” Boogaard said. “Even being Canadian, it’s hard not to appreciate what they do. Anything I can do for these guys. It’s nothing to drive down here and play a hockey game.”

Also supporting United Heroes League is former Tri-City American Clayton Stoner, now a Wild defenseman. Stoner, 27, isn’t able to play in today’s game, but he supports the cause during the hockey season.

“Shane is a good friend of mine, and this is a great cause,” said Stoner, a native of Port McNeill, British Columbia. “Giving him a little of my time to help military families is the least I can do. Derek got into it before I was in Minnesota. Derek moved on to New York, and it was easy for me to get in touch with Shane and see what they are all about. I knew it was Boogie’s favorite charity, and I’m glad to help.”

Hudella is happy to have Stoner aboard. “Clayton does a ton for us during the year,” Hudella said. “He’s is a super nice guy. I know it’s tough to travel back from places like British Columbia for one game.”