THE CANADIAN PRESS
BLAIRMORE, Alta. — NHL tough guy Rick Rypien returned to the arena where he played his minor hockey Saturday, just days after his sudden death in his southern Alberta home.
Close to 1,000 people turned out on a bright sunny day at Albert Stella Arena in this Crowsnest Pass community for the funeral for Rypien, 27, who was found in his home in nearby Coleman earlier this week.
Police say his death was not suspicious.
Rypien, who struggled with depression, had signed with the Winnipeg Jets this off-season after six years with the Vancouver Canucks.
Rypien’s death came as a surprise to many who knew him and thought he had turned a corner. They said he was looking forward to playing for the newly relocated Jets.
"My overwhelming question is why? How could this happen?" said his uncle, Allan Rypien Jr.
"He had a great family, great friends and a great job."
Rypien said his nephew was battling a disease not unlike cancer.
"He fought this disease with everything he had in him," he said. "If you knew Rick he fought with everything he had in him. Unfortunately the disease won the battle.
"Be thankful the battle he faced is over."
A number of minor hockey players, wearing Crowsnest Pass Thunder hockey jerseys were among those in attendance.
An autographed No. 37 jersey from Rypien’s time with the Vancouver Canucks and a poster from his days with the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats were part of only a few momentos scattered amongst the bunches of flowers.
Former Vancouver teammate Kevin Bieksa was one of Rypien’s pallbearers. His cousin, former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, also attended the service.
The program, with a smiling photo of Rypien in a blue Vancouver jersey, said simply "Until we all meet again."
Rypien grew up in the scenic Crowsnest Pass, played much of his early hockey there and considered the area his home.
Rypien is the second NHL tough guy to die in the off-season. Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died in May due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.
