Canucks Rewind: Looking back at Rick Rypien’s NHL debut
In the second edition of Wednesday’s Canucks Rewind, The Canuck Way takes a look back at the NHL debut of the feisty fighter, Rick Rypien.
Every Wednesday, we’re going to take a look at some of the most memorable events in Vancouver Canucks’ history, and how they have shaped the team today. From goals, assists and key plays, to trades, signings and debuts, this weekly segment should be a fond trip down memory lane for all Canucks’ fans.
The path to the NHL can be a rollercoaster for many players in the league. For former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien, his journey was highlighted by what he experienced off the ice.
At 17-years-old, he began his professional career with the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), putting up 22 points and 143 PIM in his first 57 games. That same year, he also made his Western Hockey League (WHL) debut with the Regina Pats. He only played one game with the Pats and ended up going undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft that summer.
Fortunately, the Pats liked what they saw from Rypien, and he was able to join the club as a walk-on player. In his rookie season in the WHL, Rypien registered six goals, 12 assists and 159 PIM as their captain. He continued to improve upon his point totals the following season, putting up 45 points respectively. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.
Rypien went undrafted during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Despite the disappointment of not being selected by a team, he continued to dawn the “C” and play with the Pats. He ended up finishing his final season with a career-high 22 goals and 29 assists.
More importantly, Rypien continued to prove that he was a determined, hard-working leader. He was awarded the Bill Hicke Award at the end of the season, which was given to the most popular player as voted by the fans, and was also voted as the most valuable player. Not to mention, he racked up an impressive 493 PIM in 178 games.
Throughout his professional career in the WHL, Rypien proved, time and time again, that he was willing to do whatever it took to make it pro. Whether it was battling in the dirty areas, or standing up for his teammates, Rypien, like all young athletes, wanted his shot at the big leagues.
And he finally got it.
After the conclusion of the Pats’ 2004-2005 season, Rypien was given an amateur tryout with the Manitoba Moose, the former American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. He suited up for eight regular-season games with the club and even helped them to reach the 2005 Conference Finals.
The following year, Rypien was awarded a one-year contract with the Moose and, as a result, landed his first-ever spot at an NHL training camp with the Canucks. Even though he didn’t make the final roster, Rypien had caught the attention of Canucks’ management and coaching.
Rypien ended up signing a two-way contract with Canucks on November 9th, 2005, and he received his first-ever call-up on December 19th, 2005. Two days later, he made his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers. Little did he know that this would eventually become one of the best rookie debuts in Canucks’ history.
In the first period of his first game, Rypien scored his first NHL goal. It also happened on the first shot of his first shift. Talk about making an impact with your new team.
Rypien finished the 2005-2006 season with five games under his belt. Despite numerous injuries, Rypien remained a fourth-line fixture for the next three seasons. His hard-hitting and gritty style of play inked him a 2-year, $1.1 million contract extension with the club in the summer of 2009. During the 2009-2010 season, the healthiest of his career, Rypien played in 69 games and recorded a career-high eight points.
Unfortunately, Rypien commonly found himself a healthy scratch towards the end of his tenure in Vancouver. On July 2nd, 2011, Rypien parted ways with the Canucks and signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
During his six seasons with the Canucks, Rypien was remembered for his toughness, grit and physicality on the ice. Unfortunately, it was off the ice where he had to face the biggest fight of his life.
Early on in his career, Rypien was diagnosed with clinical depression. It was difficult and overwhelming for him to deal with, so much so that he had to step away from the game to receive treatment during the 2008-2009 season. He continued to battle his mental health issues for the next few years but ultimately lost the fight. Rypien took his own life on August 15th, 2011. He was one of three NHL players to commit suicide during that offseason.
Rypien, like others who are diagnosed, did not talk to many people about his depression. Fortunately, he was able to confide in teammate and friend Kevin Bieksa early on in his career. The hockey world was shaken when news broke of Rypien’s passing. But, for Bieksa, it felt like his worst nightmare had become reality.
The following season, the Canucks honoured Rypien’s life with a pre-game ceremony and tribute video on October 18th, 2011, with Rypien’s family and friends in attendance.
Since then, the Canucks organization has taken big steps towards ending the stigma around mental health. In 2013, they launched the Hockey Talks initiative, which is highlighted by the annual Hockey Talks night to help spread information about different mental health initiatives for youth and their families. The program grows each year, with other teams around the league joining to support the cause.
Rypien’s death still continues to impact the game of hockey to this day.
Just this past year, Canucks winger Tyler Motte shared his story about battling anxiety and depression, with the hopes that others would feel comfortable coming forward and speaking about their mental health journeys.
More recently, the Winnipeg Jets shared that forward Nate Thompson will be wearing no. 11 in honour of Rypien. Thompson, who also played with Bieksa in Anaheim, has previously battled addiction issues.
Next. The Canuck Way Mailbag: Hoglander, Miller, more. dark
It has been almost 10 years since Rypien’s passing, but his legacy will continue to live on in the hockey world. Rest in Peace, Rick.