Judge Grants Summary Judgment to NHL in Complaint From Boogaard Family

U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman last week granted summary judgment to the NHL in the complaint it faced from the estate of Derek Boogaard. The complaint, originally filed in Cook County Circuit Court, also named the NHL Board of Governors and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as defendants. The NHL removed the suit to federal court, successfully arguing the Boogard claims were pre-empted by the federal Labor Management Relations Act.

After an amended complaint named new personal representatives and added references to Minnesota law, the NHL moved to dismiss under civil procedure rules. The court, however, converted that request into a motion for summary judgment, which led to more than a year of discovery.