Rick Rypien found dead in Alberta
COLEMAN, Alta. — Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien was found dead on Monday in southern Alberta. He was 27.
The rugged centre had played parts of six National Hockey League seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before signing a $700,000, one-year deal with the Jets this summer as a free agent.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm Rick’s passing,” True North Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Jets, said in a news release.
“As many people are aware, Rick had strong ties to True North Sports & Entertainment, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, the former Manitoba Moose Hockey Club and the Vancouver Canucks. We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick’s friends.
“We also appreciate all of the support that has come pouring in from Rick’s fans. Rick was a talented player with an extremely bright future. His hunger for the game made him a valued team member both on and off the ice. This loss has impacted us as more than just a hockey team.”
The Canucks issued the following statement Monday night in regards to the passing of Rypien:
“It is with tremendous sadness that the Vancouver Canucks confirm the passing of Rick Rypien. Rick has been a beloved member of the Canucks family for the past six years.
“Rick was a great teammate and friend to our players, coaches and staff. We send our deepest condolences to the Rypien family at this most difficult time.”
Some NHL players used Twitter to offer their condolences to Rypien’s family.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to Rick Rypien’s family. Another good soldier leaving us too soon!” Michael Del Zotto of the New Rangers wrote on his page on the social media website.
“Rest in peace Rick Rypien. Another very sad day In the hockey world,” Tyler Bozak of the Toronto Maple Leafs wrote.
Cousin Angela Rypien, a quarterback for Seattle Mist in the Lingerie Football League, wrote via Twitter on Monday: “R.I.P Rick Rypien, I love you so much and will miss you more than anything!”
And former teammate Bill Sweatt, from AHL’s Manitoba Moose, wrote via Twitter Monady night: “Tragic story. #rickrypien found dead. This is just terrible. RIP rick. You were a great teammate and friend.”
Rypien is the second active NHL player to die this year. New YorkRangers forward Derek Boogaard died in May of a drug overdose.
When Rypien took what the Canucks deemed a “personal leave” away from the team last November, general manager Mike Gillis had this to say then about the 27-year-old enforcer:
“I can’t talk about Rick’s situation,” Gillis told Vancouver Sun columnist Iain MacIntyre.
“But when you come to know somebody and realize they’re a really good person, who has their heart in the right place and wants to do the right thing not only for themselves but for others, you have to support them.
“You don’t only support them when they’re at the top of their game and doing everything you want, you support them when they’re not feeling good about things or have other issues they have to deal with. These are young people that have a lot to offer, a lot to live for, and you support them in any way possible.”
It was later reported Rypien left the team for mental health reasons but the Canucks never commented or confirmed that report.
“We know a lot of stuff about these guys that isn’t out in the public domain,” Gillis said in November. “We’re not isolated from them. We’re not here to interfere or micro-manage them, but we’re here to help them any way we can. It’s far more like a family than people might think.”
It was the second time in three years the forward had left the team to deal with an undisclosed personal matter. Rypien also took an extended personal leave after a rash of injuries two years ago, missing 70 games during the 2008-09 season
In 119 career NHL games, he had nine goals and seven assists and racked up 226 penalty minutes.
The 5-11, 190-pound forward was known for being willing to take on all comers during his professional career and was a fan favourite in Vancouver and Winnipeg.
A ferocious but undersized fighter, Rypien let his temper get the best of him when he got involved in a scuffle with a fan in Minnesota on Oct. 19, 2010. While being sent off the ice following a fight, Rypien grabbed the shirt of 28-year-old James Engquist who was seated behind the Canucks bench and appeared to be applauding Rypien's ejection.
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman handed the Canuck a six-game suspension for the incident but the Canucks, particularly Gillis, were fierce in their support of Rypien, something the rugged forward appreciated.
“It's comforting for me to know the people who really know me, know the character I have,” Rypien said last October. “The fact that they're in my corner and helped me out, I'm very thankful for that. My mindset now is I want to make them proud and make it up to them and do the very best I can.”
Some Vancouver fans are shaken by Rypien's death, among them are Alex Ransford, Folake Adesugba and Ellen Ransford. The three created a Facebook event, Rick Rypien Celebration of Life, to honour the late hockey player.
"We plan to bring a big book for everyone to write their condolences in and hopefully we will get the book to the Rypien family," it says on the event's Facebook page.
The event is scheduled to take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Roger Nielson statue outside Rogers Arena. So far, more than 100 guests have already responded as "attending" on Facebook.
With Postmedia News and Associated Press files and files from Stephanie Law
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NHL players mourn death of Rick Rypien via Twitter
Several NHL players took to Twitter
Several NHL players took to Twitter to express their sadness over the death of former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien.
During his time in the NHL, Rypien's toughness earned him the respect of his NHL peers.
A sampling of what was said via Twitter:
Matt Moulson, New York Islanders: "Tough news to hear about Rick Rypien...another sad day for hockey. played the game as hard as anyone..my prayers to him and his family."
Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks: "The hockey community lost another good member today. RIP Rick, never met you.. But you played a tough position and did it well."
Paul Bissonnette, Phoenix Coyotes: "Just heard the terrible news about Rick Rypien. One of the toughest pound for pound guys in the league. He had no fear. Sad day."
Mike Commodore, Detroit Red Wings: "RIP Rick Rypien. He was a warrior. Hit me so hard my eyes couldn't focus for 30 secs. Not sure if it was a left or right. #hitmewithboth"
Michael Grabner, New York Islanders: "I will always have the memories from Vancouver with Rick..also pound for pound was one of the toughest guys out there."
Ryan Jones, Edmonton Oilers: "Sad to hear about the loss of another great guy... condolences to the friends and family of Rick Rypien. RIP."
Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche: "RIP Rick Rypien. Sad to see another death in the NHL. Too many tragedies in the world lately..."
Mike Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens: "RIP Rick Rypien...thoughts to family and friends."
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