Matt Dumba wore No. 55 on his sweater last season but the young Minnesota Wild defenseman is switching to No. 24 this season.
Twenty-four was the number Derek Boogaard wore with the Wild from 2005-2010. Out of respect for Boogaard, who died of an accidental drug and alcohol overdose in 2011, Dumba called Boogaard’s family asking for permission to wear the number, according to Michael Russo.
Got an email from Len Boogaard saying Matt Dumba called him last week asking permission to wear Derek's #mnwild 24. "Classy kid," Len wrote
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 28, 2015
Pro Hockey Talk notes that Matt Cooke, who was bought out by the Wild and won’t return next season, also wore No. 24. Martin Havlat did, too, but like Dumba, Cooke also reached out to the Boogaards for permission.
“I don’t want anyone to think that I am being disrespectful and I want to make sure I take care of that before I even entertain the thought of putting it on,” said before taking the number, per the Star Tribune.
Matt Dumba will go back to his roots this season, and wear #24 with #mnwild. pic.twitter.com/iSBnIISD5y
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 27, 2015
