NHL star Rick Rypien, 27, has been found dead in his home.
According to the Associated Press, an official with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was called to Rypien’s home on Monday at 12:30 p.m. by an anonymous source. Once there, the police confirmed Rypien’s death.
Rypien was the cousin of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien. Rypien had just signed a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Jets (the former Atlanta Thrashers) last month. Before this Rypien has spent six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. Rypien achieved nine goals and seven assists during his 119 career N.H.L. games.
Police said there didn’t appear to be any foul play in this case. According to AOL, Rypien missed a good portion of last season after taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.
Rypien is most well-known for being both a fighter and enforcer with with the Vancouver Canucks. Both the Canucks and the Jets released statements offering their condolences.
Rypien is not the first athlete to die during the off-season this year. In May, New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard died due to an accidental mix of alcohol and oxycodone.
According to the Vancouver Sun, Rypien had long struggled with mental health issues. However his cause of death remains unclear at this time.
