Hundreds turn out for Vancouver Canucks Rick Rypien’s funeral –NHL News Update
Rick Rypien was finally laid to rest after being found dead in his home in Coleman, Alberta, Canada, during the National Hockey League (NHL) offseason, on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Hundreds attended the young players’ funeral, from all walks of life and
paid their last respects to one of the NHL’s most energetic players.
Other than family and close friends, there were a number of players from the hockey and football world. Kevin Bieksa, Mason Raymond, Manny Malhotra and Alexandre Burrows were present from the Vancouver player’s side, while representing the management was,
Vancouver Canucks general manager, Mike Gillis along with former National Football League (NFL) quarterback, Mark Rypien.
It was certainly a shocking moment for his family and friends.
"My overwhelming question is why? How could this happen"? Asked his uncle, Allan Rypien Jr, adding that his disease was unlike any other. "He had a great family, great friends and a great job".
Mike Gillis also spoke for the former player and highlighted the issues he was having and how they should be avoided in the future.
"I don’t think we can be afraid to talk about the issues Rick went through. I know he wanted that. When he was in an environment he can control, he was fine, he was great. When he got into an environment he couldn’t control, he had great difficulty", Gillis
said, while paying homage.
According to the many people who knew him, Rypien had begun a new life at the age of only 27 as he signed on to Winnipeg Jets, the newly relocated Atlanta Thrashers team, after playing six straight seasons with Vancouver Canucks. It was believed that he
had his eyes set on making it big with the new team, but no one could ever tell that he was having such a hard personal life.
"Be thankful the battle he faced is over", Allan Rypien said.
The death of Rick Rypien has raised a number of questions in relation to the major league’s dealing with player problems. Having become the second player to have passed away this offseason after New York Rangers, Derek Boogaard, speculations arose to what
and why causes these surprising deaths.
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