Former Canuck Rick Rypien laid to rest
Posted Aug 20, 2011 01:05:46 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BLAIRMORE, AB. (NEWS1130) – A large crowd gathered in Blairmore, Alberta, today to say good-bye to tough guy and former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien. He was laid to rest earlier this afternoon.
The funeral was held at a local arena, which was filled with friends, family, fans and former teammates.
“There was about 1,000 people who showed up. A couple of NHL personalities, Kevin Bieksa was there and was one of the pallbearers,” says Canadian Press reporter Bill Graveland.
GM Mike Gillis was also there, alongside forwards Mason Raymond and Manny Malhotra.
Rypien’s body was found in his home near Coleman earlier this week. The 27-year-old had struggled with depression and it’s believed he took his own life.
Rypien grew up in the scenic Crowsnest Pass, playing much of his early hockey there and considered the area his home. He had signed with the Winnipeg Jets during the off-season after six years with the Canucks.
He’s the second tough guy to die this summer. New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died in May at the age of 28 after an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller Oxycodone.
The deaths have led to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to suggest the league review its substance abuse and behavioural health program. Both players had spent time in the program, which is run in conjunction with the NHL Players’ Association.
