Over the years the role of the enforcer has slowly deteriorated from your tough guy needing talent beyond his fists, now almost to the point where a pest is looked upon as the one to turn to when trouble starts. Derek Boogaard was one of a dying breed amongst players in the National Hockey League who command the skill set in which he did, and while many say this is a good thing just ask Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman how different their careers may have been not having Dave Semenko, Marty McSorely, Joey Kocur and Bob Probert on their hockey clubs. Imagine how much more of Mario Lemieux would have been able to see if the Penguins kept Marty McSorely around or didn't wait nearly a decade to re-fill the role after Lemieux had encountered numerous injuries related to the treatment he received on a nightly basis.
Derek Boogaard was a player that struck fear into the eyes of ever opponent while giving his teammates the space to play the game they wanted to every night out. He will be missed for the player he was but more importantly the person everyone knew.
RIP Derek Boogaard
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