The sad news that the NHL had lost yet another family member hit me in tweeting waves tonight after I finished my nightly PSAT study session. As my fellow tweeter, and boston fan, put it “The NHL community is close knit, it feels like everyone that has a part in the NHL is family. You never want to lose a family member.”
While some of us didn’t follow his career through the minors up to his NHL debut, we all feel his loss as much as the truest Canucks fan.
So I dedicate this post, in memory of all the good Rypien has brought to the Canucks and the NHL. May he rest in peace.
Rick Rypien was born in Coleman, Alberta, Canada in 1984. His semi pro career started when he played with the Regina Pats, a major junior team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He then signed with Manatobia Moose (AHL) to continue on the path to the NHL. After a full, and successful, season with the Moose he moved onto it’s NHL associate the Vancouver Canucks.
Rypien made his NHL debut against the Oilers in 2005. He made his name known early as he got his debut goal on his first shot in the first period. He continued to play well until game five when he broke his leg playing against the Wild. In his professional rookie season he played 5 games to go along with his 15 points in 49 games with the Moose. He continued his professional career with the Canucks 6 years, with the occasional trip down the moose, and had 9 goals and 7 assists. He had signed with the Winnipeg Jets prior to this regualr season (2011-2012).
While Rypien wasn’t known for his goal scoring ability, he was known as a real grit and get it done type of guy. He was part of an exclusive club of men playing the only kind of game that would keep them in the NHL. He played with heart, grit, and determination to keep his spot on the roster and to make other guys wary of the Canucks when he was on the ice.
While not all of his behavior was the most professional or the best way to act, he played a good game of hockey. Let us not focus on his skirmishes with linesmen or fans, but on the way he played the game and how he played with passion for the game. That’s what he should be remembered for. Rest well Rypien.
capital connection 