A Tragic End for Rick Rypien

The NHL, and the rest of the world, is in a state of shock today after it was announced yesterday that Rick Rypien died at the age of 27. The death is being called “sudden and non-suspicious,” but it was known that Rypien had been battling severe depression issues; and he was absent from the league for 3 months last year after taking a leave for personal reasons. It is not yet known exactly what the cause of death for the center-man, but everyone is wondering what went wrong.

Rypien had left the NHL briefly while playing for the Vancouver Canucks last year, but he came back ready to play for the Winnipeg Jets. He seemed in a really good place, and Heisinger, General Manager for the Jets, said that when Rypien had returned to start the year, he had never seemed happier to be in his “comfort zone.” General Manager for the Canucks, Mike Gillis, also said that Rypien had seemed to be getting much better towards the end of the season and throughout the summer. Gillis made a statement saying that Rypien was working with several outside organizations for his depression, although Gillis wouldn’t go into further detail.

Fans, from Vancouver to Winnipeg to all over the world, are definitely saddened after losing this center who was known to have one of the biggest hearts, and some of the fastest legs, in the NHL. A memorial has been set up outside the Rogers Arena in Vancouver with posters and signs all dedicated to remembering Rick Rypien. Flowers have also been displayed in the shape of his number 37.

Categorized in: NHL