Former RoughRiders player charged in NHL enforcer’s death

Jordy Hart, who played hockey for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the 2003-04 season, was arrested Monday in New York and charged with providing prescription painkillers that led to the accidental overdose death of National Hockey League enforcer Derek Boogaard.

Hart, 31, could face at least 20 years in prison, if convicted. Also arrested was a physician's assistant in Utah who allegedly wrote prescriptions for Hart on a monthly basis for two years (3,000 pills), according to reports.

Boogaard played for the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild and was found dead at the age of 28 on May 13, 2011, in his Twin Cities apartment. Hart is charged with selling Boogaard oxycodone on a regular basis.

Hart, son of former NHL player Gerry Hart, scored five goals and had 12 points in his lone season with Cedar Rapids. He played three years at Merrimack College before embarking on a three-year minor-pro career.

Here are links to a story from the New York Daily News on Hart's arrest and on the life and career of Boogaard from the New York Times.