Sports

Pro Hockey Player Found Dead in Home

NHL hockey player Rypien found deadCOLEMAN, Alberta (AP) — Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien was found dead in his home Monday, nine months after he took a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.

An official with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called Rypien’s death sudden, but not suspicious. Rypien, a cousin of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien, was 27.

“We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick’s friends,” the Jets said in a release. “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.”

Rypien is the second active NHL player found dead this offseason. Former New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died in May due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Rypien signed a $700,000, one-year deal with Winnipeg last month after spending parts of six seasons with Vancouver. He had nine goals, seven assists and 226 penalty minutes in 119 career NHL games, often dropping the gloves against much larger opponents.

“Rick has been a beloved member of the Canucks family for the past six years,” the team said in a statement. “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.”

The Canucks announced on Nov. 25 that they had granted Rypien an indefinite leave of absence. It was the second time in three years the forward had left the team to deal with an undisclosed personal matter. Rypien also received a six-game suspension from the NHL last season after grabbing a fan on his way to the dressing room in Minnesota.

Rypien also took an extended personal leave after a rash of injuries two years ago, missing 70 games during the 2008-09 season.

Comments (17)

  • Mileena
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 10:07pm

    As a Winnipeger this is awful. He was a Jet but never even made it to the first game. How sad. He would have been idolized (as all the Jets will be) in Winnipeg this year. Poor guy.

    Report Post »  
  • One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Very sad as always when any young person dies :( not that the death of older people is any easier to take of course.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • duvexy
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:40pm

    This is awful. My sympathies to his family and friends.

    Report Post » duvexy  
  • audiemurphy
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:23pm

    he was awesome when he had his game on I liked hIm in a Canucks uniform it‘s too bad he had depression problems i work near Coleman where he’s from and know a few of his friends he wi be missed.

    Report Post » audiemurphy  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:11pm

    27 year old do not die without suspiciousness. Have it be illness or suicide, OD. People do not die with out reason. They need to drop the non-suspicious death label not just with this one but other that being labeled that and say died with no signs of foul play.

    27 is just a hard year for some stars.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • Atomic
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 3:56pm

    R.I.P. my condolences to his family and friends. I love hockey and this is a very sad off season with the 2nd death of a young player under 30 years of age…

    Report Post » Atomic  
  • ZABO
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 3:09pm

    the man could hold his own. he will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 3:04pm

    This kid was tough as a box of rocks. What a shame and an early end to a career. Rypien was an exciting fighter. Anyone wanting to see a good tilt look up Rypien vs. Janssen or Rypien vs. Prust or Rypien vs. Vlabic. RIP.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • LookTowardsTheLight
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 2:57pm

    Sure, on paper this is sad. However, during a game he attacked a fan…a paying customer while he was leaving the ice. The fan had not made any gestures other than clapping and looking at RR as he was going towards the tunnel.

    No thanks, I‘ll save my RIP’s and condolences to the young soldiers who have fallen in battle on behalf of our Great Land and not for some hockey player who wasn’t even that good.

    This is the clip if you don’t believe me:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI7lpSmTNXE

    Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • saranda
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 3:31pm

      I certainly hope that when you pass no one chooses to go public with your mistakes and pass judgement on you. Can you be sure all the young men you choose to save your RIP for did not make similar mistakes, just not in the public eye.

      This was a troubled young man who may have taken his own life (speculation at this point) and the best you could do was to post a link to a mistake the young man made. You disgust me.

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:48pm

      “Speak no ill of the dead,” is a good policy.
      Besides the decency and respect factors,
      a dead man is not here to defend himself.
      One of our society’s basic tenets is that you have the right to face your accuser.
      When dead, you cannot do that.

      I‘m just sayin’.
      .
      .
      .

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on August 17, 2011 at 12:58pm

      @saranda

      Well,I am a sinner and have done bad things (can YOU admit to your faults too or is that horse you’re on too high?) during the course of my young life. If someone wants to air my dirty laundry after my demise, so be it. It would be THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO DO SO! This is my opinion and since President Obama hasn’t torched the Bill Of Rights yet, I’m exercising my 1st Amendment right so take your judgement and shove it. There are many troubled individuals out there that people don’t give two cents about. On the other hand, when it’s a Pro Athlete or Celebrity it becomes cry me a river time. I have sympathy for his Parents and family, but not for him. Whatever “trouble” he was facing, he could have asked for help. Yea, my opinion may be unpopular but I stand by it and I‘m sure the fan he attacked isn’t shedding any tears either.

      @

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on August 17, 2011 at 1:04pm

      @TomFerrari

      Whoa wait a minute Mr or Mrs, “Speak no ill of the dead.” I guess I better watch what I say about Hitler, Stalin, Bin Laden, etc. Let’s convince Glenn Beck to stop talking ill of Woodrow Wilson and FDR while we at it. By the way, there was plenty of time after his attack on that fan to defend himself.

      You bore me.

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 2:03pm

    As a huge hockey fan, hate to see this happen.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 1:52pm

    An official with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called Rypien’s death sudden, but not suspicious.
    —————————————————————————————————————————————————
    Whhat???

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
  • IndyPAGirl
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 1:49pm

    R.I.P., Rick….may God grant you peace in the next worl that you could not find in this one…

    Report Post »  
  • chfields62
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 1:48pm

    My prayers and condolences go out to the family….

    Report Post »  

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