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Ryan Boogaard issues statement standing up for brother Aaron

Boogaard Family

A photo of their son and brother stands at left as Krysten Boogaard, center right, mother Joanne (blonde hair) and father Len, left, console each other as brother Ryan, right, speaks during a memorial at Xcel Arena Sunday, May 15, 2011 in St. Paul, Minn., for New York Rangers and former Minnesota Wild NHL hockey player Derek Boogaard who died Friday in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

AP

Life for the Boogaard family of late has been more difficult than most families will see in a generation. From the death of former Wild and Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard to the arrest of Derek’s brother Aaron on charges of prescription drug fraud and possession in connection with Derek’s death it’s been a traumatic time for the family.

The Boogaard’s have a third brother, Ryan, who has laid low through all this of late but he’s not staying quiet much longer. After what’s happened with Aaron Boogaard of late, Ryan isn’t keep quiet any longer and is speaking up to support Aaron through his most trying of times.

Michael Russo of The Star Tribune out of Minneapolis shared a statement from Ryan in which he tries to help clear his brother’s name as he deals with legal problems.

Although I cannot make specific comments as to proving or disproving the allegation’s against Aaron while the matter is before the court, I can say that our family fully supports him and we are disappointed in both the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Prosecution Office in their decision to prosecute him.

Aaron had fully cooperated with their investigation and now, just over two months after losing his big brother and still grieving, he will have to endure very public legal proceedings.

Aaron has never sold prescribed and non prescribed painkillers, never bought prescribed and non prescribed painkillers and Aaron does not abuse prescribed and non prescribed painkillers. The prosecutions office did not disclose all the details surrounding the investigation but for me [to] go into more detail about this would go against my previous statement about not commenting to prove or disprove the allegations and Aaron gets his day in court so it can all come to fruition at that time.

In summary, there is more than what has been released to the media.


The case against Aaron Boogaard is one that adds an immense amount of sadness to what happened with Derek and helps explain how dangerous addiction can be. Obviously if Aaron’s problems are related to Derek’s death in any way, it makes the entire situation wholly depressing as it all could’ve been avoided so much easier.

Ryan coming forth like this to stick up for his brother does show that he’s doing his part to defend his honor and help him save face in the wake of all this tragedy. Everyone is always innocent until proven guilty, of course, and Aaron’s charges do make things look especially bad. We’re hoping that things don’t turn out the way they’re made to appear, however, and that way the Boogaard family can go back to handling life on their own terms.