I never thought when I began this blog I would have to report on the death of a player, nor did I ever want to. But Im afraid this is no rumor, Derek Boogaard, the Rangers enforcer of 22 games this season was found dead in his apartment, at age 28.
Boogaard was a very unique player. Its fairly obvious that he wasn't the most skilled player, tallying his first goal since 2007 this season against the Washington Capitals. Boogaard was a physical powerhouse, and was garnered around the league as being the most intimidating person to play against. Every time he stepped onto the ice, the other players noticed.
I never had the pleasure of seeing Boogaard play in person, but his mystique caught my attention long before he came to the Rangers. I remember hearing about this guy called "The Boogey Man" who was apparently the most feared NHLer on the ice. When I found out who he was when he was still on the Minnesota Wild, I instantly became a fan. I looked up a lot of his fights, and his commercials that made me laugh for minutes on end as well. The day I found out he was signed by the Rangers, I freaked out. I was so happy, and I didn't care that he was considered overpaid. He was my favorite NHL enforcer, and I could not wait to see him lay-ith the smack down on the Rangers' opponents.
I am truly sad, and I pray that I never have to write one of these articles ever again. As a fan, I love the Rangers and never want to see anything like this ever happen. I send my regards to all of Boogaard's family and friends, and wish them well during these hard times.
Farewell, buddy. This shot will go down in infamy.
A while back, I did an article about Mr. Sean Avery talking about how he is a decent person off the ice, and leaves his game on the ice. Well, Sean did something very bold and noble by making a commercial advocating the rights of marriage-equality, while sporting some very Harry Potter-esque glasses. However, debates on the this topic have been blown out of proportion, and now both sides are firing away at one another, as it should have been expected. Recently, an agent from Uptown Sports went on record to tell the media that he believes in the sanctity of marriage, and he believes that Avery is wrong. However, said agent claims that he does not hate homosexual people, or Sean Avery, he just believes differently.
Well, lets take a good hard look at this issue that has been done a million times over. Sean is the first gay-rights advocate athlete, and supports the marriage of same-sex couples while still being heterosexual. Todd Reynolds, the agent, claims that he is also heterosexual, but believes in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and feels gay people should not have the right to marry. This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
First off, let me state right off that bat that the The New York Rangers Clinic is all about hockey, and will stay that way. With that being said, The Clinic supports the New York Rangers. Therefore, The New York Rangers Clinic supports their players in every situation. Meaning, this blog supports Sean Avery and the belief that two people should be allowed to get married if they so choose. Period, end of story.
There is no true way to get around this issue. So long as gay people exist, they will want to get married. Gay people are not going anywhere anytime soon, and neither are the people who do not like them. It is unfortunate, but that is how the world works.
However, as Rangers fans, it is our duty to stand with our players through the toughest of situations and support them. If Sean believes that two people deserve to be married despite being the same gender, we support him. Rangers fans have stuck through the antics of Avery before, and just because he touched on a very sensitive issue does not mean that we turn our backs on him now.
For the people who hate Sean Avery, I would like to point out once again that Sean is the first marriage-equality athlete to publicly advocate it. The man who has been regarded around the NHL as being the target of so much hate and adversity, and has had his manhood questioned a multitude of times stood up will balls of steel, and supported proudly what he truly believes, and does not give a damn what you think about him. You want to use his stance against him? Go right ahead, sooner or later, you'll be the one looking like a jerk. Players who don't like him want to make a comment about him and his stance on this topic, go right ahead. You will be suspended and made look like a jackass by the entire hockey community.
Sean is not doing this for the attention, or to rile up anyone. He made this commercial and chose his stance because he truly believes in the freedom of marriage-equality. Love him or hate him, this one deserves some respect. Way to be, Sean.
