Rick Rypien: Tragedy Strikes NHL After Winnipeg Jets Forward Is Found Dead

National Hockey League tough guy Rick Rypien was found dead by a family member on Monday in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.

Rypien was 27 years old.

While circumstances around his death haven’t been revealed, the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police have told the media that the death is not suspicious.

After spending all six of his seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, Rypien signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the newly established Winnipeg Jets.

The Winnipeg Jets said in a statement:

"

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. As many people are aware, he had strong ties to True North Sports and 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.

"

Most casual fans won’t remember Rypien, but he was the kind of grit player that fans loved when he was on their team and hated when he was on the other side.

Rypien wasn’t the biggest skater on the ice, but his ability to take faceoffs in key situations and kill penalties made him a valuable asset to the Canucks for many years.

With a new team and a new home, the hope was that Rypien, who had some personal troubles throughout his life, would be able to start over and lead a new life in Winnipeg.

The Canadian-born player was happy to be staying in Canada, and the NHL won’t be as exciting without Rypien causing trouble.

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