Rick Rypien was found dead in his home in Canada. Small in stature, the 5-foot-11 and 190-pound forward was not afraid to mix it up and many times took on the NHL’s toughest enforcers.

Canadian police said the death “was sudden” and “not suspicious” but the timing does seem odd since the player just inked a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

Rypien is the second young, active NHL player found dead this offseason joining New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard who died in May from what was ruled an accidental mix of alcohol and oxycodone, a painkiller drug.

Rypien, who played with passion and vigor on the ice, had spent the past nine months on personal leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.

The 27-year-old Rypien is related to Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien (cousins) and spent the last six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. In his time with Vancouver, Rypien tallied nine goals, seven assists and 226 penalty minutes in 119 regular-season games.

The recent leave to deal with an “undisclosed personal matter” was the second the player had taken during his time with the Canucks. In addition to the times lost due to personal issues, the NHL suspended Rypien for six games after he grabbed a fan on his way to the dressing room during game in Minnesota.

The Jets released the following statement: “We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick’s friends. 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 followed up with this one:

“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.”

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax.

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