It was on the ice and in the locker room where he felt most at ease. Hockey wasn’t just what he did - it was who he was. 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.