Protected: The Quiet Hero

Rick Rypien was known by his teammates for his sense of humour in the locker room and dedication and strong work ethic on the ice and in the gym. His passion and loyalty to his team was unparalleled.

He grew up in a picturesque, small rural community in Alberta where his love of the outdoors was born. Rick was a true outdoorsman, finding solace in fishing and hunting. Away from the rink, his time was spent with his close-knit family and strong group of friends.

Character

Rick earned a reputation and was noticed for his toughness on the ice. But it was his offensive skills and forechecking abilities that developed him into an all-around player fit for an NHL role. He notched his first goal on his first shift and battled opponents more than twice his size, becoming a fan favourite in his role as David versus Goliath.

While with the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, he spent countless hours volunteering his time to charitable initiatives that helped children in a number of capacities. He returned home each summer to continue his philanthropic work, volunteering and donating items to hockey camps to foster their growth and encourage young hockey players. Rick was able to do so while battling a disease that can completely encompass a person’s mental and physical state.

Selfless

Professionally, he served as a protector, always looking out for others. His utmost concern was his teammates. This sentiment was mimicked in his approach to family and friends.

Not wanting to burden others, Rick shied away from revealing his battle with depression until he confided in friends Kevin Bieksa and Craig Heisinger.

He was able to identify his feelings, but was still left confused as to why he was undergoing this type of pain. Rick utilized a number of resources available to him in an attempt to cope with the symptoms associated with depression. He had a strong support network of friends and family which he could talk to about the feelings he was having. Once learning of his condition, the Vancouver Canucks granted him leaves and helped find appropriate medical care to help Rick in his struggle against depression.

His legacy

A hockey hero, a son, a brother, a teammate, a friend – Rick Rypien meant so much to so many. He accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time. Rick confided in those he knew best of his plans to support others and help alleviate the stigma associated with mental illness by being a spokesperson of the ordeals of the disease. Those who knew him best have committed to tell his story and carry out the mission as a legacy of their friend, Rick Rypien.

To honour the legacy of their teammate and friend, the Vancouver Canucks and the Canucks for Kids Fund began a quest to raise awareness of mental health and help overcome stigma. In 2012, they helped launch mindcheck.ca provincially (now foundrybc.ca) to ensure young people had access to mental health information and resources. As part of the launch, Kevin Bieksa encouraged people from across BC to pledge to support a friend who may be struggling. The video below shows some of the voices added to the In One Voice campaign:

The Vancouver Canucks remain dedicated to helping young people access information and resources to support their mental wellness. Evidence shows that youth will turn often to a friend when they need help. It’s important for everyone to know how to support a friend. Learn more about how to know if a friend needs help, how to start a conversation, what to do, and where to find important information and resources.