LATEST | Canucks and Jets issue statement regarding Rick Rypien

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Felip Gosselin
August 15, 2023 (9:32)

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The Canucks issued a statement earlier today in regard to the late former player Rick Rypien.

Today marks 12 years from his sudden passing at age 27. Rypien suffered from mental illnesses, which had the best of him on August 15th, 2011, weeks after he had signed a contract with the Jets through free agency.

Both the Canucks and the Jets rallied and issued the following statements:

''12 years ago, we lost our teammate and friend, Rick Rypien.

Ryp's legacy continues to make a lasting impact surrounding mental health awareness and the #HockeyTalks initiative.

You are not alone, and there is always help available: canucks.com/hockeytalks''

The Jets joined hands and issued their own statement acknowledging Rypien, who had spent time in the Manitoba Moose organization, now the Jets' AHL affiliate:

�'Today, and every day, we continue to honour the life and legacy of Rick Rypien.

@TNYouthFDN
's Project 11 is inspired by Rick's idea to support mental health awareness for students from an early age 💙

It's okay to not be okay.''

Rypien played a total of 119 NHL games, all with the Canucks. The Canucks have, since then, worked to develop The Hockey Talks mental health awareness initiative to honour the fallen hero.