RandBall archives: Q&A with Derek Boogaard from January 2007

The New York Times recently concluded a three-part series on former Wild player Derek Boogaard, who died in May. If you haven't checked it out, you are encouraged to do so.

From our standpoint, we only have one thing to offer on Boogaard -- a Q&A we did almost five years ago with the then-Wild enforcer. In light of everything that has happened since, we found it at least relevant to look back at it now. So here it is (original run date: Jan. 4, 2007):

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In a sports world becoming increasingly new-school, Derek Boogaard has a very old-school job. He is, to put it simply, the Wild's enforcer. Though he has showcased other skills in the NHL, Boogaard's main role is to keep opponents in line - and drop the gloves if they don't. Google his name, and the first site that comes up is hockeyfights.com. Boogaard's role is one that polarizes fans: Some think fighting is barbaric, while others think it is a necessary - and entertaining - part of the game. One thing there is no debating: The 6-7, 250-pound Boogaard is very good at what he does. Just ask Todd Fedoruk (feel free to check youtube.com for a look at their Oct. 27 fight, if you have the stomach for it). Off the ice, however, Boogaard tries to portray a different image and backs it up with a quick wit. He was kind enough to chat recently with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand.

Q. Was it frustrating early to have the fighter-only tag put on you at an early age?

A. Well, when I was 15 I got picked up by Regina. The following year I went into camp, and a guy asked me to fight. He was 19 or 20, and I was 16. I broke his nose and all that fun stuff.

Q. How big were you then?

Q. Do you like fighting?

A. Oh, yeah. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't be doing it. You can't sit there and just do something. You have to have a passion
for what you do. There has to be intensity. If that's not in your fighting, you're going to get hurt or beat badly a lot. ... You
have to know when to turn off the switch and flip on the switch. It comes with age, just like anything. Gabby [Wild winger Marian Gaborik] is faster than he was when he was 18. It's just the way it is.

Q. Why do you think it is still a viable part of the NHL game?

A. It's always been a part of the game, and if you try to take it out ... I mean, they're putting little rules in and stuff like that
where they're trying to "ix-nay" it, but I think it would be bad for the game. You would see a lot of high-sticking. Guys won't respect each other as much. A lot of stuff that's not good.

Q. The handshake after a fight: I've seen some guys duke it out and then do that. What's that about?

Q. Now, what about the NBA: They've had some fights lately. Do you think they should start going with enforcers at the end of the bench?

A. [Incredulous]. No. Even when those football guys fight, I don't know why they bother. If you run over their helmets with a bus, they keep their same shape. I don't get it. And basketball players, yeah, I saw the Knicks/Nuggets brawl. You see guys sucker [punching] guys, you know? What are you going to do about that?

Q. Switching gears, I've seen you're part of the Wild collector's edition Monopoly game [featuring Wild players and coaches in the place of the properties]. Now, Brent Burns and you are over in the low-rent district of Baltic and Mediterranean, but I've always considered those pretty underrated properties. What do you think?

A. Oh, yeah. You have to get that corner. When you get to Park Place and Boardwalk, you take all the money, and when they pass go and get another $200, they lose it right away. There's a strategy for those guys to put that all together. We clean up. Jacques and Manny [who are where Boardwalk and Park Place would be] take all their money, then we wipe them out again right after they pass go.

Q. And switching again, does your on-ice persona ever affect your off-ice persona? I mean, do you ever use your tough-guy glare to get a better seat at a restaurant or something like that?

Q. So, I've heard you have a pretty bad snoring problem. That's what Brent Burns says. How bad is it?

A. Oh, it's not even that bad. He just said I breathe heavy now. And Burnsie, he's growing up, he's aging, the bones in his face are hardening. You should hear him, too.

Q. Local author Ross Bernstein has a book out called "The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL." Do you believe in a code?

A. Oh, yeah, there's a fine line where you have respect for guys. Like you said, there's a code for it. That's just the way it is. If you don't want to go by it, you won't be one of the respected guys around.

Q. It seems like you're getting too much respect right now. Seriously, it's been almost two months now since you had a fight.

Q. You remember your last one?

A. Oh, yeah. Not fighting is a good thing and a bad thing. I could get rusty. I might have to go boxing a couple of times a week now.

Q. What's the most memorable thing anyone has ever said to you to start a fight on the ice?

A. Ah ... nothing jumps out. Nobody has really gotten too arrogant or personal or whatever.

Q. Why do you think that is?