Fan assaulted by Rick Rypien speaks out
When Minnesota Wild fan James Engquist and his brother Peter received tickets to a Wild game as a gift from their father, they went wild. Both were excited to see their favourite team
take on the Vancouver Canucks.
The game eventually turned into a memorable experience for both men, as they got involved in an altercation that has since gone viral all over the Internet.
“It was definitely a crazy night, that’s for sure,” said Engquist.
Engquist is the Wild fan who was grabbed by Rick Rypien of the Vancouver Canucks after he was sent off for a 10-minute game misconduct. As Rypien was leaving the ice, he noticed Engquist
applauding. He immediately viewed this as a taunt, so he reached up and grabbed the 28-year-old fan.
“I was just standing straight up applauding as he was getting kicked out,” Engquist explained. “He was out of control. So then I said, ‘Way to be professional,’ and he obviously didn't
care for that comment and decided to grab me and almost dragged me over the rail.
“If my brother wasn't grabbing me and the other player wasn't grabbing him, he probably would have dragged me over the edge. I understand he got ejected, he got into two fights, he got
into a tussle with the ref. But it's no excuse for him being set off and trying to fight me.”
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, along with forward Manny Malhotra and a trainer had to restrain the enraged Rypien, as if he had continued, things would have gone from bad to worse.
Security agents arrived soon afterwards, and moved the brothers from their seats behind the Canucks’ bench. They were moved to seats that were behind the Wild’s bench.
Rypien is scheduled to have a hearing about the incident with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and will receive a lengthy suspension as a result of his actions. As for Engquist, he has yet
to receive an apology from the league, the Canucks, or Rypien himself, and will most likely seek legal action.
“I don’t have a lot of experience what outlets I have,” Engquist said. “I was assaulted, that’s just the bottom line. It’s been a long day. It’s been a lot of harassment. It was an unfortunate
event.”
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