Boogaard family asks for donations to benefit military kids in memory of former Rangers player

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The family of Derek Boogaard, the New York Rangers forward who died last week in Minnesota, is asking for donations to be made to Defending the Blue Line in his memory, in lieu of flowers.

The Rangers said Tuesday that the family "would like to see Derek's legacy live on by supporting military kids and the game he loved."

Defending the Blue Line is a non-profit organization created by soldiers with the spirit of keeping hockey alive for the children of our nation's military heroes, according to the mission statement on the group's website.

The 28-year-old Saskatoon native was found dead Friday at his Minneapolis apartment. A cause of death has not yet been determined.

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Defending the Blue Line: www.DefendingTheBlueLine.org