MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge threw out a felony charge against the brother of hockey enforcer Derek Boogaard on Thursday for supplying a painkiller that contributed to the player’s overdose death earlier this year.
Aaron Boogaard, 24, told police he gave his brother an oxycodone pill at the start of a night of partying that led to Boogaard’s death May 13 at age 28. Aaron Boogaard was charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
In dismissing the charge, Hennepin County District Judge William Howard said the facts of the case didn’t support the charge. Howard wrote that Derek Boogaard had acquired the drugs and asked his brother to hold them, and that Aaron Boogaard’s act of giving him the pill was merely returning his property to him.
Derek Boogaard, a former fan favorite for the Wild, was with the Rangers before his death. After he died, his family acknowledged he had become addicted to painkillers. They said Aaron Boogaard had attempted to help his brother with his addiction by controlling his access to drugs, and they criticized authorities for charging him.
Boogaard’s attorney, John Lund- quist, called the judge’s decision a significant victory.
“We’re very pleased for Aaron and his entire family,” Lundquist said. “This is a tremendous relief for them and we hope this will be a step in resolving the entire matter.”
Chuck Laszewski, a spokesman for the Hennepin County attorney, said prosecutors may appeal the dismissal. They have five days to decide.
Coyotes lock up Hanzal, trim roster
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes signed center Martin Hanzal to a five-year contract extension and made three roster moves to get down to 23 players.
Phoenix assigned former Colorado College goalie Curtis McElhinney and defenseman Nathan Oystrick to Portland of the AHL and placed right wing Brett MacLean on waivers. MacLean was later claimed by the Jets.
Hanzal had 16 goals and 10 assists last season, but was limited to 61 games due to a lower-body injury.
The Associated Press
