Former Vancouver Canucks tough guy Rick Rypien was found dead in his home Crowsnest Pass, Alta on August 15 2011. Rick Rypien's cause of death has not been determined to the general public yet. 

Rypien had just one assist in nine games with the Vancouver Canucks last season after leaving the team because of personal issues. It was the second time in three years Rypien left the team to deal with undisclosed personal matters.  Although the Canucks did everything they could to protect Rypien’s privacy, it was widely believed he suffered from severe mental illness and was seeking treatment."Rick has been a beloved member of the Canucks family for the past six years. Rick was a great teammate and friend to our players, coaches and staff," the Canucks said in a statement. "We send our deepest condolences to the Rypien family at this most difficult time."

"It's a personal matter, a rare issue," Rypien told reporters in Winnipeg in March. "Even though it has taken me away from hockey and the game I love, doing the work I've done the last couple of months I've made a lot of gains as a person. I really believe that's only going to benefit my on-ice performance now and make me whole."

Rypien is the second NHL fighter to die this offseason. New York Rangers heavyweight Derek Boogaard passed away in May because of an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

Rypien signed a one-year deal with the Jets in July worth US$700,000 after posting nine goals, seven assists and 226 penalty minutes over 119 career games with the Canucks.

RIP Rick Rypien You will be missed.