Book Review: ‘Boy on Ice – The Life and Death of Derek Boogard’ by John Branch

“It’s too late. It’s too late for him.”

That is now the final chapter of John Branch’s ‘Boy on Ice – The Life and Death of Derek Boogard’ ends and in many ways, the words uttered by Ryan Boogaard, brother of the former NHL enforcer for the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers, are a microcosm of the entire book.

It’s too late to save Derek Boogaard, but the horrifying story contained within the pages of the book crafted by Branch, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with The New York Times, should raise many red flags amongst the hockey community, and serves as a bright spotlight, shining on the culture of fighting that exists on many levels of the sport.

Boogaard knew he could never make the NHL as a skilled position player, but his size and ability to throw punches got him there as an enforcer. Being an enforcer in the NHL is also what got him killed. No, he wasn't felled by a vicious punch from a fellow enforcer, but the ‘what have you done lately’ culture of enforcers, where you must be healthy and able to scrap, convinced Boogaard that his job was in danger if he was out too long recovering from injuries sustained in multiple bouts.

As Branch’s book reveals, Boogaard turned to pain medication from many sources, some legitimate and some not so, and his life spiralled out of control as a result. He was in and out of rehab, swallowing pills like Skittles in between, worried that his team would replace him with a younger and better fighter if he didn’t get back onto the ice.

Throughout, Boogaard developed symptoms that we now know were a result of the brain related condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can only be determined post-mortem and manifests itself in a few different ways, including early onset memory loss, depression, aggressive behaviour and more. It’s actually a scientific cousin to Alzheimer’s disease, itself a terrible affliction. It’s caused by repeated blows to the head, not necessarily concussive ones, and, of course, that’s what fighters are subjected to.

In the end, it was a combination of alcohol and drugs, an accidental overdose, that claimed Boogaard’s life in the North American summer of 2011, but there is plenty of evidence in Branch’s book to indicate that the culture in the NHL contributed to his untimely and tragic death. Had there not been such pressure on Boogaard (and others like him) to get back onto the ice quickly, then he might not have resorted to ridiculous levels of pain medication, and, therefore, not spiralled into a state of addiction.

Boogaard’s is a cautionary tale, and Branch’s narrative, which is tragically compelling, should be read by hockey fans everywhere. It paints a different picture to so many hockey stories about parties, private jets and hanging with rock stars. This is the dark side of the sport so many people love passionately.

The pertinent details are presented matter-of-factly, but chillingly at the same time. It’s a shocking downward spiral, and many of Boogaard’s family and close friends have been consulted by Branch, who treads as sensitively as he can, whilst still getting the grim message across.

It must have been tough for the family to open up about such a distressing series of events, but you cannot help but admire them for their willingness to do so, in the hope that no one else will go down the same road as their son did. It’s a wonderful testament to the sort of people the Boogaard’s are, and why Derek was so loved. He was a gentle giant, more than willing to work with charities, happiest when he was helping others. It’s a legacy that should be remembered and celebrated.

John Branch’s book should be lauded – ‘celebrated’ is the wrong word, given it’s bleak contents – because it has done wonders for lifting the veil on just what these enforcers go through. Every page is more depressing than the one before it. The way that team medical staff dole out painkillers, seemingly by the dozen and without consulting one another, is incredible. I can’t understand how they can do that.

I used to have no problem with fighting in hockey. I’ve done a completely turnaround and have now formed the opinion that the practice needs to be banned immediately. Yes, it’s spectacular, but is it worth the risk to the combatants? Having read of the shocking toll it took on Boogaard’s life, I’d say no. ‘Boy on Ice’ would have the folks at NHL headquarters more than a little worried.

If you’re a hockey fan, pick up and read this book. It’s at the forefront of a very important message.