Tough guy Boogaard's brain donated to research

The family of New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard has agreed to donate his brain to medical researchers. Boogaard, who made his living by fighting, and protecting his smaller National Hockey League teammates, had suffered a season-ending concussion five months ago while playing for the Rangers. The 28-year-old Boogaard, of Canada, was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment Friday. Police have not released many details and a cause of death hasn't been determined. The Boston University School of Medicine told the US media on Sunday that Boogaard's brain would be examined for signs of a degenerative disease often found in athletes who sustain repeated blows to the head. Boston University is already studying the effects of concussions on the brain of former Chicago Blackhawk Bob Probert. Canadian Probert, who like Boogaard made his living by dropping his gloves, died at age 45 last year. The BU centre found evidence in Probert's brain of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been linked with cognitive and behavioural problems and eventually causes dementia.