Derek Boogaard made his living pummeling people on the ice. But outside the arena, he was soft-spoken and kind.

Fighting was just his job. But it would end up taking everything from him.

Hockey fights, and the numerous blows to the head that players have to endure, have become a moral crisis at the very heart of the sport. And the NHL is doing everything they can to deny the science and allow this gladiatorial combat to continue.

And it’s enforcers like Derek Boogaard who end up paying the price.

Featured in this episode: John Branch (The New York Times), Jeremy Allingham

To learn more:

Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard by John Branch

Major Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey by Jeremy Allingham

“Years after his son's death, Len Boogaard on quest to end fighting in hockey” by Roy MacGregor in The Globe and Mail

“Brain Trust: Big questions surround the most influential concussion research on the planet” by Jeremy Allingham in CBC News

“NHL commissioner disputes link between hockey and CTE brain disease” by H.J. Mai in NPR Morning Edition

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas 

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