New York ? 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 nonprofit organization created by soldiers with the spirit of keeping hockey alive for the children of the nation’s military heroes.

The 28-year-old Boogaard was found dead Friday at his Minneapolis apartment. A cause of death has not yet been determined. He was the older brother of Kansas University women’s basketball senior Krysten Boogaard.