Rick Rypien Celebration of Life

The Hal Gill fight is a close second, but that goal against Calgary clinches it. I didn’t expect that degree of effort and finish from a fourth liner and there he was, opening game against a divisional rival, basically schooling three players at once.

It lead me to ask if he could only stay healthy he may be another Burrows (an aside: that wildcard is one of my favorite photoshops of all time). My suggestion turned out to be premature or rather unfounded as far as the Canucks are concerned. But he was more skilled than most pugilists Vancouver has employed (see former linemate Hordichuk for more) and his willingness to be that little bulldog sticking up for his team no matter who the opponent was made him immensely likeable.

that epic fight with Brad May. Also watching him make Stortini cry repeatedly.

At the “fight” between him and Rich Clune in round 1 last year.

Clune prods and goads him into the fight from behind and then Rypien just spins and launches a half dozen punches in a couple seconds and drops Clune before he can even really respond. Then Clune tries to climb back into it and Rypien sort of lets him before dropping him again and separating Clune’s shoulder in the process

for the opening goal about half-way through one the chicago playoff games… so awesome.

I first noticed the tenacious play of Rypien in our playoff sereis three years ago. he was giving us fits on the forecheck – he might have been paired with Johnson at the time.

Then two years ago, I remember him sticking up for a teamate after byfuglien laid waste a Canuck foward. He started drawing a beeline on Big Buff right after the hit and finally caught up to him behind the Hawks net. He left his feet and hit Buff as hard as he could.Rypien ended up on the seat of his pants for his effort – but you had to admire someone trying to even the score for a teamate. I remeber writing, "Rypien, who always skates as hard as anyone on the ice…,’ in describing him

after the incident in Minnesota last year, I recall writing that I thought it was blown out of proportion. I probably was in the minority on that, but as soon as he realized what he was doing he stopped. he was not the 7 headed ogre writers were making him out to be.

hard to say if his fights contributed to his premature demise – maybe something to think about when we’re cheering for someone on our teams to pound the living crap out of a dirtbag opponent.

Dude was a buzz saw with his mitts. I loved his quick opening left jab that caught a lot of opponents off guard. Best pound for pound fighter in NHL? He’s get my vote, slayed more than one giant in the league. The type of fighter you DON’T enjoy going toe to toe with. My nickname for him was “The Mechanic” cuz he sure could tune your azz up if needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fly7LR8t02c&feature=player_embedded

its everything about him, to me at least, he had an aura about him. every time he lined up for a face off you would move to the edge of your seat, expecting fireworks. you could really tell his team meant alot to him, wouldnt matter who, but if you fucked with a canuck/moose be prepared to eat a left…or right… or both cause he would be there, ready and willing to throw with anyone. but his hands had skills, with the puck and with your face, and kid was fast to, i just wish things went differently for him, with the injuries, and the leaves, because he could play and im sure he would have been a staple on the 4th or even 3rd line.
fondest memories – rypien vs prust 1 2 3 and 4
ryp vs may his hands in this fight are awsome, throwing combos like no other
ryp vs carcillo i wish there could one day be a round 2
ryp vs anyone really
i was at the game vs mtl when he fought gill, sitting row 7 and until the playoffs this year i had never heard rogers explode like it did as soon as the mitts hit the ice.

i will be heading to rogers later this evening after i get off work to pay my respects to one of my favorite players of all time. sad week in canucks history
RIP my brother, find your happiness and find mine while your at it..cause its been lost.

remember how we all wanted to see Rypien take on Boogard?

RIP Rick

Was at the game in St. Louis where he and Cam Janssen had an epic battle that I will never forget. The blood dripping from Janssen in the penalty box was THE best jumbotron clip I’ve ever seen. I’m surprised I didn’t get my own ass kicked for shouting at all the blues fans around me….

RIP Rick, you will be missed.

…from down by the Roger statue. A pretty sombre gathering, but lots of messages being left.

RIP Ryp’…a shame someone that could win almost every fight on the ice could not win the fight off it.

So many fave Ryp’ moments. From 3 times with Prust in one game, to chopping down Gill…but that one with Janssen was a beauty huh?

We were down 2 goals to Columbus and Rypper opened the score with a fucking slapper that fooled Mase.

I wish he had a chance to sort his personal demons out during the season. Can you imagine having him in the line-up during the Boston series? No way Marchand even touches the Sedins after a tilt with Rypien…

yesterday, but am I missing something with the fanshots? I don’t see any way to post more than one picture at a time.