Rangers

Following the mysterious death of Rangers forward Derek Boogaard, authorities are saying that the results of yesterday's autopsy "may not be known for up to two weeks," but that police have ruled out foul play. Boogaard, who was found by family members in his Minneapolis apartment Friday evening, had been "receiving counseling" in the NHL's substance abuse program in the weeks leading up to his death, the Post reports. However, the Post's sources are careful to stress that "it would be unfair to draw inferences" from his counseling.

Given Boogaard's stature as a prolific fighter on the ice, his family has agreed to donate the athlete's brain to the Sports Legacy Institute at Boston University for research on concussive brain injuries. His brother Ryan told the Star Tribunethat "Derek would have liked to assist with research on a matter that had affected him later in his career," referring to the concussion that knocked Boogaard out of the 2010-2011 season early, and at one point prevented him from leaving his apartment for three weeks.
The Sports Legacy Institute studies Chronic Traumatic Encephalophay, a disease caused by "repetitive trauma to the brain." CTE is reportedly found in "30 of the 40 athlete brains" at the center, and is believed to have contributed to the death of famous hockey enforcer Reggie Fleming.

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