A federal judge on Monday dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by former NHL player Derek Boogard’s parents, who blamed the league for their son’s brain damage and addiction to prescription painkillers.

Boogard, a feared enforcer during six seasons with the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers, died of an accidental overdose of pain medications and alcohol in 2011. His parents later sued, arguing the NHL knew or should have known Boogard — who they said received more than 1,000 prescriptions from team physicians, dentists, trainers and staff — wasn’t complying with treatment.

In a 20-page opinion dismissing the case, U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman wrote that Boogaard’s parents didn’t prove the NHL was negligent. He also noted they weren’t appointed trustees of their son’s estate, a requirement to sue on its behalf.

But the judge was careful not to comment on the allegations against the NHL, which is currently involved in a class-action lawsuit involving more than 100 former players. Feinerman wrote that his decision “should not be read to commend how the NHL handled Boogard’s particular circumstances — or the circumstances of other NHL players who over the years have suffered injuries from on-ice play.”

The attorney for Boogard’s family, William Gibbs, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press for comment. A spokesman for the NHL did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Boogard spent five seasons with the Wild and one with the Rangers, scoring just three goals in 277 NHL games — while getting into at least 66 fights on his way to racking up 589 penalty minutes. He died while still under contract with the Rangers.

The 28-yeear-old was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain ailment that can be caused by repeated blows to the head.