Derek Boogaard, RIP

Derek Boogaard (left) died Friday night at age 28.

Sad news in the NHL community with the passing of ex-Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard. I met him once — when the Wild made a 2007 Summer Caravan stop through Mankato. You can read my story on that day here.

When covering those stories, it's hard to truly get to know a guy. You basically spend most of your time talking to fans waiting in line in the parking lot. And when you get a chance to interview one of the players, you just toss out a few questions while those fans are getting things signed, posing for pictures and trying to ask their own questions. Basically, if you're a reporter at one these things, you're in the way.

One thing that was obvious that day, though, was to see just how popular Boogaard was with the Wild fans. "He's a fan favorite," one fan said that day. "He epitomizes the Minnesota mentality: Fight to the end, keep going and work hard." Do you have a favorite Derek Boogaard memory? If so, post it in the comments section below.