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Canucks Rewind: Looking back at Rick Rypien’s NHL debut

By Zaahid Lalani

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Rick Rypien #37 of the Vancouver Canucks stretches during the pre game warmup prior to the NHL game against the Minnesota Wild on October 17, 2009 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Rick Rypien #37 of the Vancouver Canucks stretches during the pre game warmup prior to the NHL game against the Minnesota Wild on October 17, 2009 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Rick Rypien, the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Rick Rypien, the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

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.

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