Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien was found dead in his Alberta home Monday night. This is according to the Canadian Press.
The new NHL Winnipeg franchise confirmed the death of the 27-year-old in a statement that also came Monday night…
“We are deeply saddened to confirm Rick’s passing,” the statement read. “As many people are aware, he had strong ties to True North Sports & Entertainment, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, the former Manitoba Moose Hockey Club and the Vancouver Canucks. We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick’s friends.”
The Jets are expected to discuss the death further during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
According to further reports, a call was placed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police out of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta around 12:3oPM MT reporting a “sudden and non-suspicious” death.
Rypien’s NHL career has been plagued by personal matters. Rypien spent six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks but had to leave the team on two separate occasions within a three-year span for personal matters.
There has been no indication as of yet that these undisclosed personal matters played a role in his death.
Rypien made headlines last October when he pushed a Minnesota Wild fan as he was leaving the ice after a fight in St. Paul. He was later suspended for six games and apologized for the incident.
The cousin of former NFL QB Mark Rypien, Rick Rypien is the second NHL player found dead this past year. Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment after a lethal combination of alcohol and pain killers.
Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Rick Rypien.
