May 13th, 2011.

The day the hockey world lost enforcer Derek Boogaard, and mother Joanne Boogard lost her son.

The former New York Ranger and Minnesota Wild player was found dead following an accidental overdose on oxycodone and alcohol at a Minneapolis apartment just one month and ten days before his 29th birthday.

To mark the anniversary of his passing, Joanne published a fantastic yet heartbreaking letter full of raw emotion to her son in a local newspaper on Monday, marking the eight-year anniversary of the passing.

Hi Derek, 

8 years have passed and I still wait to hear your voice again, just a phone call to let me know you're OK. Little did I know that the last phone call I missed from you was your last one - oh how I wish to turn back the clock. 

Remembering you is easy, tears fall from my eyes, my heart aches, but when I remember the happy times we had, a smile comes to my face, still so many emotions. I remember your grin, your saying "oh yeah," your eyes that shone with laughter, your walk, your big teddy bear heart you had for everyone.

Your family still copes; days, weeks, months, years have gone by and we still celebrate your birthday, there is always a spot for you at Christmas. Curtis's place at Turtle Lake is beautiful, you would have loved it here, it was your dream place to have for us all to be together. Gladys is done with Dentistry now, we are so very proud of her. Logan has a baby girl (Lila) - wow has he grown up and is finishing up law school. Haden, of course, is playing hockey (goalie, thank goodness) and thinks of you all the time. Molly is busy with her hockey baseball, and music. Ryan and Lisa are doing great with your little niece Skylar who is almost 5 now and knows your name very well from all the pictures we all have of you around our homes. Krysten just finished her 3rd year of nursing school, doing fantastic - another proud moment. Tyson is still firefighting and they also have their wood business which keeps them both super busy (HAGER WOOD SHOP). Aaron and his girlfriend Hailey are expecting a baby in August and doing very well, it's very exciting. You will be sure to know, he will know his Uncle Derek, too. Our family is growing and missing you.

Boston is still working hard with CTE  at making more people aware of the safety of all athletes. Donating your brain has helped in so many ways, as painful as it was for us. NHL still has a lot of work to do at acknowledging and accepting responsibility for players who have passed and those who are out there with CTE and don't even know it. You did help in getting more awareness out there. People just need to read your book/story by John Branch BOY on ICE; the facts are all there.

ALWAYS LOVED, NEVER FORGOTTEN, FOREVER MISSED

Mom, Dad, Curtis(Gladys, Logan Haden, Molly), Ryan(Lisa, Skylar), Krysten (Tyson), Aaron (Hailey), many aunts, uncles, cousins and Opa and Oma.

Boogaard played six seasons in the NHL and amassed 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 277 career games along with 589 PIMs.