Rick Rypien
Encyclopedia
Rick Joseph Rypien was a Canadian professional ice hockey
forward
who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks
. After a major junior career of four years with the Regina Pats
of the Western Hockey League
, he was signed by the minor professional
Manitoba Moose
of the American Hockey League
(AHL) in 2005
. The following season, he signed with the Canucks. He spent six years with the organization, splitting time between the Canucks and Moose, their AHL affiliate. Following the 2010–11 NHL season
, Rypien signed with the Winnipeg Jets
, but died before joining his new team. His death was preceded by a history of clinical depression
, which included two personal leaves of absence from the Canucks during his career. A fourth-line
player in the NHL, he was known for his hitting and fighting
abilities.
, Alberta
, a community within the municipality of Crowsnest Pass
, Alberta
on May 16, 1984. He was raised in nearby Coleman
, Alberta
, a community with a population of approximately 1,000. Rypien was the son of Shelley and Wes Rypien, the latter of whom was a Canadian boxing champion; Rypien's older brother, Wes Jr., also played in the WHL and later competed professionally in the ECHL
for several seasons. Rypien's cousin
, Mark Rypien
, is a former National Football League
(NFL) quarterback
who was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl XXVI
.
Rypien played minor hockey out of the local Crowsnest Pass Minor Hockey Association. At age five or six, he joined his first team, the Pass Rangers from Coleman, coached by his father. Aside from his boxing career, Rypien's father had also played hockey. Rypien followed after his older brother, as well, who had began hockey before him. Growing up, his favourite players were forwards Wendel Clark
and Eric Lindros
.
During Rypien's second season with the Regina Pats
, his girlfriend died in a car accident. She was driving to watch him play in Calgary
.
career in 2001–02 with the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves
of the Alberta Junior A Hockey League (AJHL), recording 22 points (12 goals and 10 assists) over 57 games. During the season, he also debuted with the Regina Pats
of the Western Hockey League
(WHL), playing one game. Unselected in the annual WHL Bantam Draft
, Rypien earned a spot with the Pats as a walk-on. During his three-year tenure with Regina, he served as a team captain
. As a WHL rookie in 2002–03, he scored 18 points (6 goals and 12 assists) over 50 games. The following season, he improved to 45 points (19 goals and 26 assists) over 65 games. In his final year with the club, he recorded career-highs with 22 goals, 29 assists and 51 assists. He received three team awards, being chosen as the most valuable player
, the fans' choice as most popular player (Bill Hicke Award) and the Molson Cup champion, having received the most three star selections
.
Undrafted out of junior, he was contacted by Craig Heisinger
, general manager of the American Hockey League
(AHL)'s Manitoba Moose
, in his last season with the Pats. When Rypien's career with the Pats ended, Heisinger signed Rypien to an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2004–05 AHL season
. He recorded a goal and an assist over eight regular season games with the Moose, then helped the team to the Conference Finals of the 2005 playoffs
with no points over fourteen contests. His play earned him an AHL contract to remain with the club for the 2005–06 season
. As a result, Rypien attended NHL training camp with the Moose's parent club, the Vancouver Canucks
. On September 24, 2005, he was released from the Canucks' training camp roster and returned to the Moose. Just over a month into his AHL season, however, he signed a two-way contract
with the Canucks on November 9, 2005. On December 19, he was called up by the Canucks and made his NHL debut two days later against the Edmonton Oilers
. In the first period of the contest, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Jussi Markkanen
. It was his first shot on his first shift. The goal put the Canucks ahead 2–1; they ultimately lost the game 7–6. Rypien registered six minutes and thirty seconds of ice time. Playing in his fifth game with the club ten days later, he suffered a broken fibula against the Minnesota Wild
. Upon recovering, he was returned to the Moose and finished the regular season with 15 points (9 goals and 6 assists) in 49 AHL games. He dressed for an additional 13 playoff games with Manitoba; he recorded a goal and an assist as the Moose were eliminated in the second round by the Grand Rapids Griffins
.
Competing for a roster spot during the Canucks' 2006 training camp, Rypien injured his thumb in a fight during a game against the Anaheim Ducks
, sidelining him for two months. Upon recovering, he joined the Canucks in early-December 2006. In his first game back against the Colorado Avalanche
on December 2, Rypien fought opposing forward Ian Laperriere
. The following contest, against the Edmonton Oilers, he was injured once again, suffering a partially torn groin muscle. By mid-February 2007, he recovered and was re-assigned to Manitoba, where he spent the remainder of the season, recording 6 points (3 goals and 3 assists) in 14 games.
Rypien remained with the Moose to start the 2007–08 season, failing to make the Canucks' roster out of training camp. Within half-a-month, he was recalled by Vancouver. Playing against the Detroit Red Wings
on October 24, 2007, Rypien broke a finger in his left hand. After being sidelined for 16 games, he was re-assigned to the Moose on December 4. Splitting the remainder of the season between Manitoba and Vancouver, he was called up on two separate occasions (January 13–16 and February 26–April 8, 2008). and finished the regular season with 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 34 AHL games and 3 points (1 goal and 2 assists) in 22 NHL games. In the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs
, he went pointless in six games as the Moose were eliminated in the first round by the Syracuse Crunch
. During the off-season, Rypien re-signed as a restricted free agent
with the Canucks on July 23, 2008.
The following season
, Rypien made the Canucks' lineup out of training camp for the first time in his career. After scoring two goals in the first five games in 2008–09, he suffered a sports hernia on October 19, 2008. Upon recovering, he was granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons. The Canucks organization alluded to Rypien's history of injuries as the main reason for him not returning to the team. Assistant general manager Lorne Henning stated that "It's just wearing on him now - it's frustrating for him. He just has to deal with the injuries ... and wrap his head around it." It was later made known, following his death, that Rypien was strugling with clinical depression
. He returned after a 70-game absence on March 31, 2009, in a contest against the Minnesota Wild
. He appeared in 12 games for the Canucks in 2008–09, recording three goals and no assists. The season marked Vancouver's return to the playoffs after failing to qualify the previous season. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
in the first round, they were defeated in six games by the Chicago Blackhawks
. Rypien appeared in all ten Canucks playoff games and recorded two points (both assists) while playing on the fourth-line alongside Darcy Hordichuk
and Ryan Johnson. He recorded his first playoff point in Game 4 of the second round against Chicago, assisting on a Hordichuk goal with a spin-o-rama pass.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009, Rypien re-signed to a two-year deal with the Canucks on May 27. Rypien continued to play on the Canucks' fourth line in 2009–10. He missed four games in October 2009 with a groin injury and three games the following month with an upper-body ailment. During a game against the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2009, he was automatically ejected after a fight with opponent Cam Janssen
revealed his hands were illegally taped below the wrist in order to support a sprained finger. In January 2010, he missed an additional three games with illness. Avoiding major injury for the first time in his NHL career, he recorded career-highs of 8 points (4 goals and 4 assists) in 69 games.
Rypien began the 2010–11 NHL season
on the injured reserve
once again, missing the first two games with an upper body injury. After returning to the lineup, Rypien became infamously involved in a fan-related incident during an away game at the Xcel Energy Center
against the Minnesota Wild
on October 19, 2010. After fighting opposing forward Brad Staubitz
in the first period, the two players met again in the second period and were prepared to fight before being restrained by game officials. While being restrained, Rypien pushed linesman Don Henderson away and skated onto the Canucks' bench. Before walking down the tunnel towards the Canucks' dresing room, Wild fan James Engquist called towards Rypien, "way to be a professional", while clapping. Rypien grabbed Engquist by the chest and began to pull him out of his seat before letting go and walking away. Rypien was suspended indefinitely pending an in-person disciplinary hearing about the altercation. The NHL then suspended Rypien for six games and fined the Canucks $25,000, while NHL Commissioner
Gary Bettman
called Engquist to apologize and offered him dinner and tickets to another game. In response, the fan stated that, although he had not yet hired a lawyer, he would be "definitely seeking legal representation." Rypien meanwhile told media he had apologized to his team and the league, describing his actions as "inexcusable."
After having served his suspension, Rypien struggled to remain in the Canucks' lineup and was made a regular healthy scratch. In late-November 2010, the Canucks allowed him another personal leave of absence. At this time, it began to be widely speculated in the media that Rypien was suffering from mental health issues. While the Canucks organization withheld any details regarding Rypien's situation, general manager Mike Gillis
stated publicly that "when you come to know somebody and realize they're a really good person...You don't only support them when they're at the top of their game...you support them when they're not feeling good about things or have other issues they have to deal with." On March 8, 2011, Rypien returned from his leave and was assigned to the Moose. The NHL waived the two-week limit allowed for a conditioning stint, allowing the Canucks to leave him with the Moose for the remainder of the season and avoid his salary cap hit. Rypien completed his final season as a Canuck with one assist over nine games, while also recording two assists in 11 AHL games. He also helped the Moose to the second round of the playoffs, recordign one goal in seven post-season games, before they were eliminated by the Hamilton Bulldogs
.
During the off-season, Rypien and the Canucks parted ways as he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2011. The following day, Rypien signed a one-year, US$
700,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets
. The Jets were set to begin their inaugural season after franchise's Atlanta Thrashers
relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Under the same ownership as the Manitoba Moose, Rypien joined a familiar organization in returning to Winnipeg. Co-owner Mark Chipman
recalled Rypien's signing as "one of the best days of [his] summer," adding that "Beyond the announcement of joining the National Hockey League...that's what really brought the [Jets' return] full circle." He was prepared to switch from jersey number 37 to 11 for the Jets, the same number he wore for the Pats during his junior career and the Moose when he first joined them. Rypien died before having the opportunity to join his new team.
(6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and Hal Gill
(6-foot-7, 240 pounds).
throughout his career, Rypien's mental health was eventually made known to the Vancouver Canucks organization during their 2008 training camp; the team consequently coordinated his treatment for the remainder of his tenure with the team. Among his teammates, Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa
was the first Rypien confided in regarding his depression. During his first leave of absence in 2008–09, Rypien disappeared. Bieksa met with Manitoba Moose general manager Craig Heisinger, who Rypien had a close personal relationship with, in Edmonton
and drove to Rypien's Alberta home in search of him. Upon finding Rypien, Bieksa brought him back to Vancouver to live with his family. When Rypien returned from his leave, he was assigned by the Canucks to the Manitoba Moose. Upon arriving in Winnipeg
, he publicly spoke about his absence, commenting that "doing the work I've done the last couple of months I've made a lot of gains as a person."
A month-and-a-half after signing with the Winnipeg Jets, a family member found Rypien dead in his Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
, home on August 15, 2011. The cause of death was confirmed as suicide. Rypien had been scheduled for a flight to Winnipeg the previous night to have his knee evaluated that day. When he did not meet his appointment, Heisinger (who had since become the Jets assistant general manager) attempted to locate him. Following his death, Heisinger told media that Rypien had been suffering from depression for more than ten years. Jason Jaffray
, a former Moose and Canucks teammate who had also recently signed with Winnipeg, expressed surprise at Rypien's death, explaining that while he was aware of his mental health, he felt he was "a new man and...the happiest [he'd] ever seen him."
Several hours after his passing was announced, Canucks fans began assembling a memorial outside of Rogers Arena. Two days later, a fan-organized gathering of approximately 300 occurred at the memorial. Rypien's memorial service was held at Alberta Stella Arena (where he had played his minor hockey) in Blairmore, Alberta
, on August 20. Bieksa was on hand as one of the casket's pall bearers. He was one of numerous former teammates, general managers and figures from Rypien's hockey career in attendance. In the subsequent 2011–12 NHL season
, the Canucks honoured Rypien with a ceremony prior to a home game against the New York Rangers
on October 18. With Rypien's parents, step-parents and brother on the ice, a four-minute tribute video was shown on the jumbotron. Bieksa further presented the family Rypien's game-worn jersey from his last season as a Canuck. The team also announced a $50,000 donation in Rypien's memory to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation
. The amount, which included contributions from the NHL Players Association
's Goals and Dreams program, was designated to fund a promotion strategy to help youth and young adults cope with mental health issues.
Rypien was one of three NHL players to have died in the 2011 off-season; the other two were New York Rangers
enforcer Derek Boogaard
and the recently-retired Wade Belak
. Following Boogaard and Rypien's deaths, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told media that the league would look into their substance abuse and behavioural issue programs – initiatives that both players had been involved with.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. After a major junior career of four years with the Regina Pats
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, he was signed by the minor professional
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) in 2005
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
. The following season, he signed with the Canucks. He spent six years with the organization, splitting time between the Canucks and Moose, their AHL affiliate. Following the 2010–11 NHL season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
, Rypien signed with the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
, but died before joining his new team. His death was preceded by a history of clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, which included two personal leaves of absence from the Canucks during his career. A fourth-line
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
player in the NHL, he was known for his hitting and fighting
Fighting in ice hockey
Fighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
abilities.
Personal life
Rypien was born in BlairmoreBlairmore, Alberta
Blairmore is an urban community in the Rocky Mountains within the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in southwest Alberta, Canada. It was formerly incorporated as a town prior to 1979 when it amalgamated with four other municipalities to form Crowsnest Pass...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, a community within the municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is a specialized municipality located in the Crowsnest Pass of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Alberta, Canada. The municipality formed as a result of the amalgamation of five municipalities – the Village of Bellevue, the Town of Blairmore, Town of Coleman, the...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
on May 16, 1984. He was raised in nearby Coleman
Coleman, Alberta
Coleman is an urban community in the Rocky Mountains within the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in southwest Alberta, Canada. It was formerly incorporated as a town prior to 1979 when it amalgamated with four other municipalities to form Crowsnest Pass....
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, a community with a population of approximately 1,000. Rypien was the son of Shelley and Wes Rypien, the latter of whom was a Canadian boxing champion; Rypien's older brother, Wes Jr., also played in the WHL and later competed professionally in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
for several seasons. Rypien's cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
, Mark Rypien
Mark Rypien
Mark Robert Rypien is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He is the first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL.-Biography:...
, is a former National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
who was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI was an American football game played on January 26, 1992 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota to decide the National Football League champion following the 1991 regular season...
.
Rypien played minor hockey out of the local Crowsnest Pass Minor Hockey Association. At age five or six, he joined his first team, the Pass Rangers from Coleman, coached by his father. Aside from his boxing career, Rypien's father had also played hockey. Rypien followed after his older brother, as well, who had began hockey before him. Growing up, his favourite players were forwards Wendel Clark
Wendel Clark
Wendel L. Clark is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is perhaps best known for being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , captaining the team from 1991 to 1994...
and Eric Lindros
Eric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
.
During Rypien's second season with the Regina Pats
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
, his girlfriend died in a car accident. She was driving to watch him play in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
.
Junior
Rypien began his juniorJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
career in 2001–02 with the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves
Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves
The Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves were a Junior 'A' ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Based out of the town of Blairmore, Alberta and playing at the Coleman Complex in Coleman, Alberta, the team represented the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass....
of the Alberta Junior A Hockey League (AJHL), recording 22 points (12 goals and 10 assists) over 57 games. During the season, he also debuted with the Regina Pats
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL), playing one game. Unselected in the annual WHL Bantam Draft
WHL Bantam Draft
The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the teams of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. The draft's order of selection depends on where the team finishes in the league standings. The teams that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the...
, Rypien earned a spot with the Pats as a walk-on. During his three-year tenure with Regina, he served as a team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
. As a WHL rookie in 2002–03, he scored 18 points (6 goals and 12 assists) over 50 games. The following season, he improved to 45 points (19 goals and 26 assists) over 65 games. In his final year with the club, he recorded career-highs with 22 goals, 29 assists and 51 assists. He received three team awards, being chosen as the most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
, the fans' choice as most popular player (Bill Hicke Award) and the Molson Cup champion, having received the most three star selections
Three stars (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, the three stars of a match are the three best players as chosen by a third party, with the first star considered the best of the three players, akin to the man of the match in other sports. Usually, the top point scorers or outstanding goaltenders are designated the three stars, but...
.
Undrafted out of junior, he was contacted by Craig Heisinger
Craig Heisinger
Craig Heisinger is a Canadian ice hockey executive. He is the assistant general manager and director of hockey operations for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and senior vice president of True North Sports and Entertainment. Heisinger is also the general manager of the St...
, general manager of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL)'s Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
, in his last season with the Pats. When Rypien's career with the Pats ended, Heisinger signed Rypien to an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2004–05 AHL season
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
. He recorded a goal and an assist over eight regular season games with the Moose, then helped the team to the Conference Finals of the 2005 playoffs
2005 Calder Cup Playoffs
The 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 19, 2005. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup...
with no points over fourteen contests. His play earned him an AHL contract to remain with the club for the 2005–06 season
2005–06 AHL season
The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals....
. As a result, Rypien attended NHL training camp with the Moose's parent club, the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. On September 24, 2005, he was released from the Canucks' training camp roster and returned to the Moose. Just over a month into his AHL season, however, he signed a two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
with the Canucks on November 9, 2005. On December 19, he was called up by the Canucks and made his NHL debut two days later against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. In the first period of the contest, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Jussi Markkanen
Jussi Markkanen
Jussi Markkanen is an ice hockey goaltender for EV Zug of the National League A .-Playing career:Markkanen has played extensively in various European professional leagues as well as the NHL...
. It was his first shot on his first shift. The goal put the Canucks ahead 2–1; they ultimately lost the game 7–6. Rypien registered six minutes and thirty seconds of ice time. Playing in his fifth game with the club ten days later, he suffered a broken fibula against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Upon recovering, he was returned to the Moose and finished the regular season with 15 points (9 goals and 6 assists) in 49 AHL games. He dressed for an additional 13 playoff games with Manitoba; he recorded a goal and an assist as the Moose were eliminated in the second round by the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
.
Competing for a roster spot during the Canucks' 2006 training camp, Rypien injured his thumb in a fight during a game against the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, sidelining him for two months. Upon recovering, he joined the Canucks in early-December 2006. In his first game back against the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
on December 2, Rypien fought opposing forward Ian Laperriere
Ian Laperriere
Ian Laperrière is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since the season because of post-concussion syndrome....
. The following contest, against the Edmonton Oilers, he was injured once again, suffering a partially torn groin muscle. By mid-February 2007, he recovered and was re-assigned to Manitoba, where he spent the remainder of the season, recording 6 points (3 goals and 3 assists) in 14 games.
Rypien remained with the Moose to start the 2007–08 season, failing to make the Canucks' roster out of training camp. Within half-a-month, he was recalled by Vancouver. Playing against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
on October 24, 2007, Rypien broke a finger in his left hand. After being sidelined for 16 games, he was re-assigned to the Moose on December 4. Splitting the remainder of the season between Manitoba and Vancouver, he was called up on two separate occasions (January 13–16 and February 26–April 8, 2008). and finished the regular season with 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 34 AHL games and 3 points (1 goal and 2 assists) in 22 NHL games. In the 2008 Calder Cup playoffs
2008 Calder Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 16, 2008. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup...
, he went pointless in six games as the Moose were eliminated in the first round by the Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
. During the off-season, Rypien re-signed as a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
with the Canucks on July 23, 2008.
The following season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, Rypien made the Canucks' lineup out of training camp for the first time in his career. After scoring two goals in the first five games in 2008–09, he suffered a sports hernia on October 19, 2008. Upon recovering, he was granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons. The Canucks organization alluded to Rypien's history of injuries as the main reason for him not returning to the team. Assistant general manager Lorne Henning stated that "It's just wearing on him now - it's frustrating for him. He just has to deal with the injuries ... and wrap his head around it." It was later made known, following his death, that Rypien was strugling with clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
. He returned after a 70-game absence on March 31, 2009, in a contest against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He appeared in 12 games for the Canucks in 2008–09, recording three goals and no assists. The season marked Vancouver's return to the playoffs after failing to qualify the previous season. After eliminating the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in the first round, they were defeated in six games by the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. Rypien appeared in all ten Canucks playoff games and recorded two points (both assists) while playing on the fourth-line alongside Darcy Hordichuk
Darcy Hordichuk
Darcy Hordichuk is a Canadian professional hockey winger currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
and Ryan Johnson. He recorded his first playoff point in Game 4 of the second round against Chicago, assisting on a Hordichuk goal with a spin-o-rama pass.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009, Rypien re-signed to a two-year deal with the Canucks on May 27. Rypien continued to play on the Canucks' fourth line in 2009–10. He missed four games in October 2009 with a groin injury and three games the following month with an upper-body ailment. During a game against the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2009, he was automatically ejected after a fight with opponent Cam Janssen
Cam Janssen
Cam Janssen is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the New Jersey Devils. The Devils drafted him 117th overall in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Janssen is also known as an enforcer and 'tough guy' for his physical play and frequent fights.-Playing career:Janssen grew...
revealed his hands were illegally taped below the wrist in order to support a sprained finger. In January 2010, he missed an additional three games with illness. Avoiding major injury for the first time in his NHL career, he recorded career-highs of 8 points (4 goals and 4 assists) in 69 games.
Rypien began the 2010–11 NHL season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
on the injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
once again, missing the first two games with an upper body injury. After returning to the lineup, Rypien became infamously involved in a fan-related incident during an away game at the Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center
The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the...
against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
on October 19, 2010. After fighting opposing forward Brad Staubitz
Brad Staubitz
Brad Staubitz is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Undrafted, Staubitz signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks to a three-year entry level contract on September 18, 2005...
in the first period, the two players met again in the second period and were prepared to fight before being restrained by game officials. While being restrained, Rypien pushed linesman Don Henderson away and skated onto the Canucks' bench. Before walking down the tunnel towards the Canucks' dresing room, Wild fan James Engquist called towards Rypien, "way to be a professional", while clapping. Rypien grabbed Engquist by the chest and began to pull him out of his seat before letting go and walking away. Rypien was suspended indefinitely pending an in-person disciplinary hearing about the altercation. The NHL then suspended Rypien for six games and fined the Canucks $25,000, while NHL Commissioner
NHL Commissioner
The National Hockey League Commissioner is the highest-ranking executive officer in the National Hockey League . The position was created in 1993 with Gary Bettman as the first Commissioner...
Gary Bettman
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
called Engquist to apologize and offered him dinner and tickets to another game. In response, the fan stated that, although he had not yet hired a lawyer, he would be "definitely seeking legal representation." Rypien meanwhile told media he had apologized to his team and the league, describing his actions as "inexcusable."
After having served his suspension, Rypien struggled to remain in the Canucks' lineup and was made a regular healthy scratch. In late-November 2010, the Canucks allowed him another personal leave of absence. At this time, it began to be widely speculated in the media that Rypien was suffering from mental health issues. While the Canucks organization withheld any details regarding Rypien's situation, general manager Mike Gillis
Mike Gillis
Michael David Gillis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:...
stated publicly that "when you come to know somebody and realize they're a really good person...You don't only support them when they're at the top of their game...you support them when they're not feeling good about things or have other issues they have to deal with." On March 8, 2011, Rypien returned from his leave and was assigned to the Moose. The NHL waived the two-week limit allowed for a conditioning stint, allowing the Canucks to leave him with the Moose for the remainder of the season and avoid his salary cap hit. Rypien completed his final season as a Canuck with one assist over nine games, while also recording two assists in 11 AHL games. He also helped the Moose to the second round of the playoffs, recordign one goal in seven post-season games, before they were eliminated by the Hamilton Bulldogs
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
.
During the off-season, Rypien and the Canucks parted ways as he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2011. The following day, Rypien signed a one-year, US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
700,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
. The Jets were set to begin their inaugural season after franchise's Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Under the same ownership as the Manitoba Moose, Rypien joined a familiar organization in returning to Winnipeg. Co-owner Mark Chipman
Mark Chipman
Mark Chipman is the principal owner and chairman of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League. He is also chairman of True North Sports & Entertainment, which operates the Jets and their home arena, the MTS Centre....
recalled Rypien's signing as "one of the best days of [his] summer," adding that "Beyond the announcement of joining the National Hockey League...that's what really brought the [Jets' return] full circle." He was prepared to switch from jersey number 37 to 11 for the Jets, the same number he wore for the Pats during his junior career and the Moose when he first joined them. Rypien died before having the opportunity to join his new team.
Playing style
Throughout his career, Rypien earned a reputation as a tough and hardworking player. With the Canucks, he was a fourth-line forward, providing energy with his speed on the forecheck, aggression and fighting abilities – attributes that made him a fan favourite throughout his junior and professional career, but also contributed to his injury troubles. He regularly fought players well above his weight and height, including Sheldon BrookbankSheldon Brookbank
Sheldon Brookbank is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League...
(6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and Hal Gill
Hal Gill
Harold Priestley "Hal" Gill III is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(6-foot-7, 240 pounds).
Depression and suicide
Struggling with clinical depressionClinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
throughout his career, Rypien's mental health was eventually made known to the Vancouver Canucks organization during their 2008 training camp; the team consequently coordinated his treatment for the remainder of his tenure with the team. Among his teammates, Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Christopher Bieksa is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , serving as an alternate captain for the Canucks during away games...
was the first Rypien confided in regarding his depression. During his first leave of absence in 2008–09, Rypien disappeared. Bieksa met with Manitoba Moose general manager Craig Heisinger, who Rypien had a close personal relationship with, in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and drove to Rypien's Alberta home in search of him. Upon finding Rypien, Bieksa brought him back to Vancouver to live with his family. When Rypien returned from his leave, he was assigned by the Canucks to the Manitoba Moose. Upon arriving in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, he publicly spoke about his absence, commenting that "doing the work I've done the last couple of months I've made a lot of gains as a person."
A month-and-a-half after signing with the Winnipeg Jets, a family member found Rypien dead in his Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is a specialized municipality located in the Crowsnest Pass of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Alberta, Canada. The municipality formed as a result of the amalgamation of five municipalities – the Village of Bellevue, the Town of Blairmore, Town of Coleman, the...
, home on August 15, 2011. The cause of death was confirmed as suicide. Rypien had been scheduled for a flight to Winnipeg the previous night to have his knee evaluated that day. When he did not meet his appointment, Heisinger (who had since become the Jets assistant general manager) attempted to locate him. Following his death, Heisinger told media that Rypien had been suffering from depression for more than ten years. Jason Jaffray
Jason Jaffray
Jason Jaffray is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, a former Moose and Canucks teammate who had also recently signed with Winnipeg, expressed surprise at Rypien's death, explaining that while he was aware of his mental health, he felt he was "a new man and...the happiest [he'd] ever seen him."
Several hours after his passing was announced, Canucks fans began assembling a memorial outside of Rogers Arena. Two days later, a fan-organized gathering of approximately 300 occurred at the memorial. Rypien's memorial service was held at Alberta Stella Arena (where he had played his minor hockey) in Blairmore, Alberta
Blairmore, Alberta
Blairmore is an urban community in the Rocky Mountains within the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in southwest Alberta, Canada. It was formerly incorporated as a town prior to 1979 when it amalgamated with four other municipalities to form Crowsnest Pass...
, on August 20. Bieksa was on hand as one of the casket's pall bearers. He was one of numerous former teammates, general managers and figures from Rypien's hockey career in attendance. In the subsequent 2011–12 NHL season
2011–12 NHL season
The 2011–12 NHL season is the 95th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It is the fifth consecutive season that opens in Europe with NHL Premiere games. As with the previous season, three events are scheduled: two games will be held in Stockholm, Sweden; one game in Helsinki,...
, the Canucks honoured Rypien with a ceremony prior to a home game against the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
on October 18. With Rypien's parents, step-parents and brother on the ice, a four-minute tribute video was shown on the jumbotron. Bieksa further presented the family Rypien's game-worn jersey from his last season as a Canuck. The team also announced a $50,000 donation in Rypien's memory to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation
BC Children's Hospital Foundation
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money to support the British Columbia's Children's Hospital. The Foundation works with communities to raise funds for essentials including: life-saving equipment, research into childhood diseases, a wide range of medical...
. The amount, which included contributions from the NHL Players Association
NHL Players Association
The National Hockey League Players' Association or NHLPA is the labor union for the group of professional hockey players who are under Standard Player Contracts to the thirty member clubs in the National Hockey League located in the United States and Canada...
's Goals and Dreams program, was designated to fund a promotion strategy to help youth and young adults cope with mental health issues.
Rypien was one of three NHL players to have died in the 2011 off-season; the other two were New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
enforcer Derek Boogaard
Derek Boogaard
Derek Leendert Boogaard was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played for the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was of Flemish descent. Known primarily as a fighter and enforcer, his nicknames included "Boogeyman" and "The Mountie"...
and the recently-retired Wade Belak
Wade Belak
Wade Belak was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
. Following Boogaard and Rypien's deaths, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told media that the league would look into their substance abuse and behavioural issue programs – initiatives that both players had been involved with.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... | A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... | Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2001–02 | Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves The Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves were a Junior 'A' ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Based out of the town of Blairmore, Alberta and playing at the Coleman Complex in Coleman, Alberta, the team represented the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.... |
AJHL | 57 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Regina Pats | WHL | 50 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 159 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 21 | ||
| 2003–04 | Regina Pats | WHL | 65 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 186 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | ||
| 2004–05 | Regina Pats | WHL | 63 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 148 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Manitoba Moose Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Manitoba Moose | AHL | 49 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 122 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 22 | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Manitoba Moose | AHL | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
Manitoba Moose | AHL | 34 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 81 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2007–08 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 22 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 40 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 69 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 126 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2010–11 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | ||
| NHL totals | 119 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 226 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 47 | ||||
| AHL totals | 116 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 252 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 77 | ||||