Rick Rypien, Former Vancouver Canuck Enforcer, Found Dead At 27

He spoke to reporters in early March, just before he stepped back on the ice with the Moose towards the end of their season, about taking a step back for a game and what he was going through. It’s an interview that’s now extremely emotional to watch (via @bruce_arthur):

That’s only a piece of what Rypien had to say. He spoke about wanting to help other hockey players, and how when faced with situations like the one he was in, it’s “okay to ask for help” and that people want to help. Perhaps more heartbreaking than anything else now that we know his ultimate end, Rypien said several times, with passion in his voice, that he can’t wait to resume his playing career.

The Vancouver Canucks themselves issued a statement about Rypien’s passing earlier on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, recently signed by the Winnipeg Jets, was found dead in his Alberta, Canada home on Monday. Details are yet to be released, but police have confirmed that the nature of his passing was not suspicious.

To read fan reaction on the tragic passing of Rick Rypien, visit SB Nation’s Vancouver Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct, and SB Nation’s Winnipeg Jets blog Arctic Ice Hockey.

Rypien suffered from mental health issues throughout his career and had to take a leave of absence from the Canucks to deal with health-related issues in 2008. It is suspected, but not confirmed, that these health problems may have contributed to Rypien’s untimely death.