WINNIPEG, Manitoba – What started as a sunny day in downtown Winnipeg at the MTS Centre turned very quickly to a dark and sad day for the Winnipeg Jets and their fan base.
If you were in downtown Winnipeg like I was and you took the time to glance at the MTS Centre, the former home of the Manitoba Moose and the new home of the Winnipeg Jets you would have noticed that the flags in downtown Winnipeg were at half mast, some people asked why, but for the hockey mad city they all know that their new off season signing Rick Rypien had passed away in his family’s Alberta home.
Rypien had been a part of the Vancouver Canucks for a number of years and was twice given a leave of absence due to depression, however the media was told that it was just personal issues. Rypien being the fighter that he was, was able to come back to the NHL and the Vancouver Canucks to play again. But Rypien again was put on a leave of absence for personal reasons.
In the early spring of 2010, Rypien returned to the Canucks family but he was sent down to the AHL and was very happy to be playing in Winnipeg and for the Moose organization.
Rypien only played 18 games with the Moose including a second round departure from the Calder Cup Playoffs. Nobody knew that that game would be Rypien’s last as a pro athlete.
Ironic as Rypien’s career both begun and ended in the Manitoba capital.
In an interview held at the MTS Centre on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg Jets Assistant General Manager Craig Heisinger told the media, “I never got the sense there were any problems this summer nor did anybody in his inner circle and that is a tight knit group.”
Heisinger added, “Either something helped really fast or we all missed the boat.”
The entire Jets family was excited to see the speedy tough guy return to Winnipeg as he was always a fan favorite and he had signed with the Jets on July 2nd and had planned to be in Winnipeg for the next three seasons.
Rypien had told his agent Alain Roy that he was determined to have a breakout season with the Jets and was going to prove he wasn’t just a fourth line speedster that could fight.
Heisinger also said, “Rypien was scheduled for an MRI in Winnipeg on his knee and had already set up an apartment in the city and was looking for ice to skate on while in the city for appointments”.
Rypien’s former teammate Brendan Morrison was found at is BC home and told QMI Agency reporter Randy Sportak that, “Rypien had a great heart and was a fantastic teammate and that none of the Vancouver Canucks had any idea that he was having mental health issues.”
Depression is a serious mental health issue, one that the NHL and all sports leagues should be more diligent in addressing. Rypien’s personal dealings with his own depression were just that, his own. But there are myriad outlets to help and assist those with depression. The lesson to take from this tragic event is the need for even more assistance and the awareness and knowledge by those with depression that there are lifelines and support systems available.
As for Rick Rypien and his family the entire hockey world is with you during this tuff time. Rest in Peace Rick Rypien.
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