Fans, family pay tribute to Boogaard in Minnesota

Relatives and fans of New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard shed tears Sunday as they remembered the former NHL enforcer as a "teddy bear" who was as generous and kind as he was burly and tough, a somber end to a weekend during which his distraught family agreed to donate his brain to medical researchers.

The 28-year-old Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment Friday. Boogaard's agent and a spokeswoman for the Boston University School of Medicine confirmed Sunday that his brain will be examined.

"It's an amazing thing he did and his family did. Hopefully, that'll bring some information," agent Ron Salcer said.

Salcer spent three days with Boogaard in Los Angeles earlier in the week. Salcer remarked about his client's brightened demeanor, after suffering through a winter of not being able to play or even be active while recovering from a concussion.

"He seemed very good, and that's what makes it more painful," Salcer said. "He was really starting to feel better about everything. He was in great shape."

Minneapolis police said there were no outward signs of trauma, but results of an autopsy are expected to take several weeks.

Boogaard's parents, Len and Joanne, sister, Kyrsten, and brothers, Aaron, Ryan and Curtis, all attended the memorial inside Xcel Energy Center, where the 6-foot-7, 265-pound enforcer became a fan favorite with the Minnesota Wild.

With a few hundred fans, many wearing replicas of Boogaard's No. 24 jersey with the Wild, standing in the arena lobby, general manager Chuck Fletcher, former teammate Wes Walz and Boogaard's sister and brother took turns telling stories and reading tributes.

The memorial sprouted from a Facebook page urging fans to gather at the arena for a candlelight vigil.

Aaron thanked fans for showing up, but he was too choked up to read. Kyrsten took over and remembered her brother as a comfort provider — dependable, big, cuddly, loving and loyal.

"Derek was dependable to a fault. You could depend on him for anything you needed. At any time, your priority became his priority," she said.

Ryan then took over the reading as Kyrsten sobbed into her dad's shoulder.

"Derek was a teddy bear and will always be our teddy bear," he said.

A funeral is planned for Saturday in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Material from wire services was used in this report.