Eh.

Tenacious, hardworking and will are just three words that sum up the type of player that former Canuck Rick Rypien was.

Rick passed away on August 15th 2011 after suffering from depression.  He was said to have been suffering it because of his role as a fighter to make a living in the NHL.  His long time pal Kevin Bieksa said this wasn’t true in a featured article in the Vancouver Sun.  Bieksa said Rypien’s illness was too complicated to be explained by one event or circumstance, such as the car-accident death nearly a decade ago of Rypien’s girlfriend or the constant stream of injuries that slowed his NHL career (Iain MaCintyre, Rick Rypien: the one everyone leaned on).

It was obvious that Rick was a well-liked member of the Canucks.  Even though he didn’t play too much because of his injury setbacks and leaves of absences, Rick did everything he could when he got the call to ignite his team and stand-up for his mates.  He may have only been 5’11″ but he was huge at heart.  Rick was the kind of guy that would drop the gloves with anyone.  He didn’t care if he was going toe-to-toe with a beast like Hal Gill (who is a whomping eight inches taller), because he was full of heart and determination.

After a six year stint within the Canucks organization, whether it be in the ‘chel’ or with the farm team in Manitoba, Rick was set for a fresh-start with the re-birth of the Winnepeg Jets.  Rick had just signed a one year, $700,000 contract but passed away just prior to training camp.

Tonight on TSN before the Canucks and Rangers game there will be a special tribute to the former Canuck, and it will without a doubt be an extremely emotional evening; not only for the organization but for the fans as well.

Rest in peace Ryp.