On this Day: NHL enforcer Rick Rypien commits suicide

It’s been six years since his passing. Remember, you are not alone. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
On this Day: NHL enforcer Rick Rypien commits suicide
Keystone Press

August 15th, 2011: Former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien takes his own life in his Alberta home just weeks after signing a new deal with the Winnipeg Jets

Family, friends, teammates and indeed the entire hockey world is shocked and saddened by the loss of the fearless and scrappy 27-year-old. In the months following his passing the Rypien family, in coordination with the Canucks, Jets and NHL, come forward with the story of Rick’s ten year battle against clinical depression in an effort to combat the stigma against mental illness.

Hockey fans may remember that the 2010-11 offseason was a particularly awful one as not only did Rypien pass away suddenly, but so did fellow enforcers Wade Belak and Derek Boogaard.

RIP Ripper. Gone, but never forgotten.