'Derek's life meant something': Joanne Boogaard vows to keep fighting NHL after son's death

Five years after Saskatchewan-raised NHL playerDerek Boogaard died from an accidental overdose of alcohol and painkillers, his family's lawsuit against the hockeyleague will be heard in the U.S.

Prior to his death, the 28-year-old NHL enforcer had been undergoing treatment for opioid addiction at the direction of the league.

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In 2013, the Boogaard family filed a wrongful death lawsuitagainst the NHL over its handling of his drug addiction.

They saythe league contributed to brain injuries he suffered, as well as his addiction to prescription painkillers.

On Thursday, a U.S. District Court judge finally granted an amendment that will allow the family's complaint to move forward.

A long five years

Speaking from her home in Regina, Joanne Boogaard said her reasons for pursuing the complaint related to accountability.

"It's been a very long five years and fighting the NHL is not an easy thing," she said. "Derek's life meant something, he didn't die just for nothing ... we have to follow through with this."

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Born in Saskatoon, Derek played for teams in Regina, Prince George and Medicine Hat while in the Western Hockey League.

He spent the first several seasons of his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in 2001.

When Derek died, he had just completed his first season with the New York Rangers after signing as a free agent.

He only played 22 times with New York, suffering a concussion after a fight in a game in early December of 2010.

Raising awareness

Joanne hopes her complaint against the NHL will help raise awareness about the dangers of concussions in hockey.

Although she's not sure what she would have done differently, she wishes she was more aware ofthe risks when Derek was a young player.

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"There is more [awareness] out there now," she said. "I think coaches are being taught more to watch out for concussions ... I see more that they are looking out."

She said that after the death of her son, another child one of Derek's brothers quit playing hockey.

"My grandson plays hockey now, I'm just worried, I'm glad he's a goalie. Thank God."

Legal complaint

The Boogaard family's complaint will be heard in Chicago on Oct. 6.

Joanne said Derek's father Len, a former Mountie, did a lot of legwork to get the paperwork prepared ahead of the hearing.

Now she said it was up to her lawyers, from the firm of CorboyandDemetrio, to pursue the case.

"You know it just keeps going on and on, but it, you know, it has to, it just has to," she said.

"Until they really answer to what they've done and what they continue to do."

None of the Boogaard's claims have been proven in court.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the NHL. CBC News has also sought comment from the Corboy and Demetrio law firm, but they have not responded.