Rangers players reacted today to news of the death of teammate Derek Boogaard on Friday in Minnesota.
Marian Gaborik:
“I found out immediately, like right away…it was late at night here…I couldn’t believe it. It was weird because I just couldn’t believe it. It’s really sad, a young guy like that.”
“It was devastating news. I played with Boogey for a long time in Minny and then in New York. He was a great guy. We got along together great. We helped each other out on the ice and off the ice. We were very close. I tried to help him along in New York, and we had a very good relationship. It’s just very sad.”
“He was one of the very best at what he did. Every team would have loved to have him, whether on the ice or off the ice as a great teammate.”
“He was a year younger than me, and you could see that he improved so much. But he always was such a calm guy, got along with everybody. We had a lot of good times together. He was a really easy going guy, really caring. We talked pretty much about everything. He’s just the type guy who would be there for you whenever you needed him”
“We spoke before the World Championships. We were in touch a lot. He was focusing on coming back, training every day. He was really looking forward to coming back in great shape and prove that he’s the best at what he does. He was really looking forward to that. He was always so positive and optimistic. “
Captain Chris Drury:
“On behalf of all Derek’s teammates, I would like to say that he was a great friend and a great teammate and that we are all going miss him dearly. This is a tragic loss for the hockey community. All of our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family”
Brandon Prust:
“I am still in shock. It keeps hitting me off and on all day as I’m driving home. Though he was a fighter on the ice, he was definitely a gentle giant off the ice. He was just a real good guy, a team guy all the way. I’ve been looking at some of the silly pictures I have from when we were roommates and it just hits me what a good guy he was. I still can’t believe I am referring to him in the past tense.”
Brian Boyle:
“He was a great person. He really was. He was such a caring guy, an unselfish guy. He put himself in front of bullets for the guys. I had some great talks and great laughs with him in our car rides into the city. I will remember him fondly, and I think we all will. There are so many great things Boogey brought to our team and to our lives. For however long you knew him, it was a blessing because on the ice he was an amazing teammate, and off the ice he was an even better friend.”
Sean Avery:
“As big of a man as Derek was, his heart was even bigger. I hope that his family, friends and most importantly, those who didn’t know him, understand what a great teammate he was and how much he meant to us all.”