2011 NHL Offseason

[Ya_Big_Tree]

[Ya_Big_Tree]

Sucks how the news in this thread lately has been of the death of players. 3 in four months. This is really sad.

[PhilCastro]

I saw a report that it was suicide.

 

Not sure how credible that source is though.

[barney_rebel]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=374852#

[Test4VitalSigns]

QUOTE (PhilCastro @ Aug 31 2011, 07:37 PM)

I saw a report that it was suicide. Not sure how credible that source is though.

Yeah saw a report that a source close to situation said Wade hung himself but there is no confirmation yet.

[Test4VitalSigns]

QUOTE (Test4VitalSigns @ Sep 1 2011, 03:11 PM)

QUOTE (PhilCastro @ Aug 31 2011, 07:37 PM) I saw a report that it was suicide. Not sure how credible that source is though. Yeah saw a report that a source close to situation said Wade hung himself but there is no confirmation yet. http://www.calgaryherald.com/enforcer+Wade...9140/story.html

[invisibleairwaves]

QUOTE (Test4VitalSigns @ Sep 1 2011, 11:12 AM)

QUOTE (Test4VitalSigns @ Sep 1 2011, 03:11 PM) QUOTE (PhilCastro @ Aug 31 2011, 07:37 PM) I saw a report that it was suicide. Not sure how credible that source is though. Yeah saw a report that a source close to situation said Wade hung himself but there is no confirmation yet. http://www.calgaryherald.com/enforcer+Wade...9140/story.html   If it's true, it just shows how hard it is to tell sometimes with depression sufferers. Every interview I've ever seen of Belak, he came across as a cheerful, hilarious guy, and the tributes from people who knew him personally all seem to reinforce that.   Quite a few ex-NHLers are now coming out to say how tough it is to leave the sport that they've spent their entire lives in, and that the NHLPA has virtually zero support for retiring players.

[invisibleairwaves]

Today's big NHL story...

 

Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating

 

QUOTE

Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.

 

Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh...

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM)

Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team...

[KaoKun1990]

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM)

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that.

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:42 PM)

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that. It was either him or Sharp. You don't trade your leading scorer because of a guy who showed some life in the playoffs. I would have liked to have them both but the cap forced the issue.

[KaoKun1990]

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 09:52 PM)

QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:42 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that. It was either him or Sharp. You don't trade your leading scorer because of a guy who showed some life in the playoffs. I would have liked to have them both but the cap forced the issue. Or management could have opted to *not* overpay those players and kept the whole team intact.

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:53 PM)

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 09:52 PM) QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:42 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that. It was either him or Sharp. You don't trade your leading scorer because of a guy who showed some life in the playoffs. I would have liked to have them both but the cap forced the issue. Or management could have opted to *not* overpay those players and kept the whole team intact. Byfuglien could have stayed with us for another year. With Campbell leaving after this season, he would've been paid this time around. He went for the big bucks and now he's stuck in Winnipeg...with no chance of winning the cup.

[laughedatbytime]

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:00 PM)

QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:53 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 09:52 PM) QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:42 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that. It was either him or Sharp. You don't trade your leading scorer because of a guy who showed some life in the playoffs. I would have liked to have them both but the cap forced the issue. Or management could have opted to *not* overpay those players and kept the whole team intact. Byfuglien could have stayed with us for another year. With Campbell leaving after this season, he would've been paid this time around. He went for the big bucks and now he's stuck in Winnipeg...with no chance of winning the cup. At least the currency will have some value in Winnipeg.

[invisibleairwaves]

If not for the gross overpayments to Campbell, Huet, Hossa and others, and Tallon's qualification mess, there's a good chance they would have been able to keep guys like Ladd, Byfuglien, Versteeg, and Niemi around. The Hawks could be a dynasty team if not for some terrible management decisions.

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (laughedatbytime @ Sep 1 2011, 09:03 PM)

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:00 PM) QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:53 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 09:52 PM) QUOTE (KaoKun1990 @ Sep 1 2011, 08:42 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 1 2011, 08:48 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 07:28 PM) Today's big NHL story... Dustin Byfuglien arrested on suspicion of drunk boating QUOTE Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenceman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m. An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged. During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated. Another official said a mugshot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media. Hennepin County covers the area around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Byfuglien was born in Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities area in the off-season. He played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League in Brandon, Man., and Prince George, B.C. He won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He had 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games with the Thrashers last year. He has played 341 NHL games in his career, scoring 75 goals and 87 assists. The Atlanta team relocated to Winnipeg this off-season and was renamed the Jets.   Apparently he weighed in at 286lbs when he was arrested, a good 40lbs over what he played at last season. Uh-oh... I bet he would be in better shape playing for a contending team... Hey, you only have your team's management to blame for that. It was either him or Sharp. You don't trade your leading scorer because of a guy who showed some life in the playoffs. I would have liked to have them both but the cap forced the issue. Or management could have opted to *not* overpay those players and kept the whole team intact. Byfuglien could have stayed with us for another year. With Campbell leaving after this season, he would've been paid this time around. He went for the big bucks and now he's stuck in Winnipeg...with no chance of winning the cup. At least the currency will have some value in Winnipeg. And that is the ultimate issue. Like Byfuglien, Khabibulin and Havlat chose an increase in salary over NHL glory. Continuous, in the case of Dustin...

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 1 2011, 09:06 PM)

If not for the gross overpayments to Campbell, Huet, Hossa and others, and Tallon's qualification mess, there's a good chance they would have been able to keep guys like Ladd, Byfuglien, Versteeg, and Niemi around. The Hawks could be a dynasty team if not for some terrible management decisions.

Agreed, but Huet's money was taken off the books. If these players had decided to stick around for another year, with the cap going up, the bonus payouts to Kane and Toews no longer an issue and Campbell's departure...it would be a much different future in the careers of those guys.

[laughedatbytime]

[blackhawkrush]

[KaoKun1990]

Good for Stan. I'm glad he was able to get through the treatments okay.

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 28 2011, 07:15 PM)

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 28 2011, 03:37 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 27 2011, 03:44 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 26 2011, 05:48 PM) Vegas odds to win the Stanley Cup next year : Vancouver 6-1, Pittsburgh 7-1, Philadelphia 9-1, Washington 10-1, Boston 10-1, Chicago 12-1, Detroit 12-1, Los Angeles 12-1, San Jose 12-1, Tampa Bay 12-1, Monteal 20-1, Nashville 25-1, Anaheim 25-1, Buffalo 30-1, New Jersey 30-1, Phoenix 30-1, Calgary 35-1, Carolina 35-1, Dallas 40-1, New York R 40-1, StLouis 40-1, Toronto 50-1, Winnipeg 50-1, Minnesota 60-1, Edmonton 65-1, Colorado 65-1, Ottawa 65-1, Columbus 75-1, New York I 80-1, Florida 125-1.     Just hoping EA doesn't pick the Canucks again this year     Not sure why Pittsburgh is the #2 favourite though. We still don't know how long Crosby will be out, or whether he'll be the same player once he comes back, and I don't think the Pens are Cup favourites without him. Also, LOL at Philly ahead of Washington and Boston. Yes. Also, a team with Versteeg, Kopecky, Fleischmann, Booth, Campbell, Jovanovski and Theodore is 125-1? This league is, indeed, a son of a . Btw, the Hockey News magazine has the Hawks coming out of the West. I trust The Hockey News even less than I trust Vegas   Then you're gonna love this. The Sporting News has San Jose beating Pittsburgh in the final...after taking out Detroit in the semis. Btw, you guys gotta see Ovechkin's picture in that mag. He looks like he's the love child of Modano and Krupp.

[invisibleairwaves]

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 3 2011, 04:49 PM)

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 28 2011, 07:15 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 28 2011, 03:37 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 27 2011, 03:44 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 26 2011, 05:48 PM) Vegas odds to win the Stanley Cup next year : Vancouver 6-1, Pittsburgh 7-1, Philadelphia 9-1, Washington 10-1, Boston 10-1, Chicago 12-1, Detroit 12-1, Los Angeles 12-1, San Jose 12-1, Tampa Bay 12-1, Monteal 20-1, Nashville 25-1, Anaheim 25-1, Buffalo 30-1, New Jersey 30-1, Phoenix 30-1, Calgary 35-1, Carolina 35-1, Dallas 40-1, New York R 40-1, StLouis 40-1, Toronto 50-1, Winnipeg 50-1, Minnesota 60-1, Edmonton 65-1, Colorado 65-1, Ottawa 65-1, Columbus 75-1, New York I 80-1, Florida 125-1.     Just hoping EA doesn't pick the Canucks again this year     Not sure why Pittsburgh is the #2 favourite though. We still don't know how long Crosby will be out, or whether he'll be the same player once he comes back, and I don't think the Pens are Cup favourites without him. Also, LOL at Philly ahead of Washington and Boston. Yes. Also, a team with Versteeg, Kopecky, Fleischmann, Booth, Campbell, Jovanovski and Theodore is 125-1? This league is, indeed, a son of a . Btw, the Hockey News magazine has the Hawks coming out of the West. I trust The Hockey News even less than I trust Vegas   Then you're gonna love this. The Sporting News has San Jose beating Pittsburgh in the final...after taking out Detroit in the semis. Btw, you guys gotta see Ovechkin's picture in that mag. He looks like he's the love child of Modano and Krupp.   Did Ovie at least look fit? Apparently he did a video interview a little while ago and everyone freaked out because it looked like he had a bit of gut. Then again maybe the Byfuglien thing has everyone on edge

[invisibleairwaves]

[blackhawkrush]

QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Sep 3 2011, 09:15 PM)

QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Sep 3 2011, 04:49 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 28 2011, 07:15 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 28 2011, 03:37 PM) QUOTE (invisibleairwaves @ Aug 27 2011, 03:44 PM) QUOTE (blackhawkrush @ Aug 26 2011, 05:48 PM) Vegas odds to win the Stanley Cup next year : Vancouver 6-1, Pittsburgh 7-1, Philadelphia 9-1, Washington 10-1, Boston 10-1, Chicago 12-1, Detroit 12-1, Los Angeles 12-1, San Jose 12-1, Tampa Bay 12-1, Monteal 20-1, Nashville 25-1, Anaheim 25-1, Buffalo 30-1, New Jersey 30-1, Phoenix 30-1, Calgary 35-1, Carolina 35-1, Dallas 40-1, New York R 40-1, StLouis 40-1, Toronto 50-1, Winnipeg 50-1, Minnesota 60-1, Edmonton 65-1, Colorado 65-1, Ottawa 65-1, Columbus 75-1, New York I 80-1, Florida 125-1.     Just hoping EA doesn't pick the Canucks again this year     Not sure why Pittsburgh is the #2 favourite though. We still don't know how long Crosby will be out, or whether he'll be the same player once he comes back, and I don't think the Pens are Cup favourites without him. Also, LOL at Philly ahead of Washington and Boston. Yes. Also, a team with Versteeg, Kopecky, Fleischmann, Booth, Campbell, Jovanovski and Theodore is 125-1? This league is, indeed, a son of a . Btw, the Hockey News magazine has the Hawks coming out of the West. I trust The Hockey News even less than I trust Vegas   Then you're gonna love this. The Sporting News has San Jose beating Pittsburgh in the final...after taking out Detroit in the semis. Btw, you guys gotta see Ovechkin's picture in that mag. He looks like he's the love child of Modano and Krupp.   Did Ovie at least look fit? Apparently he did a video interview a little while ago and everyone freaked out because it looked like he had a bit of gut. Then again maybe the Byfuglien thing has everyone on edge The picture was taken during the last season. Hey, maybe they'll put him in front of the net to have him try to one-up Avery.

[Draco]

Don't know if this was brought up before, but being someone who suffers from mental illness (Bipolar Disorder), I think what the Canucks are doing here is fantastic!

 

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/4164...iens-death.html

 

Canucks hope to raise mental health awareness following Rick Rypien's death

 

2011-09-01 17:16:00

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks are taking a role in increasing awareness about mental health issues.

 

The NHL team plans to raise money that can be used for mental health education and treatment information through their Canucks for Kids Fund, Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis said in an interview Thursday.

 

The decision follows the death of Rick Rypien, a former Canuck player who left the team on two separate occasions while struggling with depression. He was found dead on Aug. 15 at his off-season home in Coleman, Alta. Police said his death was not suspicious.

 

"We are definitely going to create an appropriate way for people to contribute to mental health issues," said Gillis.

 

The exact details of how the money will be raised and where it will be spent haven't been decided. But Gillis wants to "create a vehicle where people can get involved and hopefully educate people."

 

Rypien, who signed a contract to play with the Winnipeg Jets this season, is one of three NHL players who played the role of enforcer to die over a span of four months.

 

Wade Belak, who played parts of 14 seasons for five NHL teams, was found dead at a downtown hotel and condo building in Toronto on Wednesday. A source confirmed to The Canadian Press that the recently retired player hanged himself in an apparent suicide.

 

New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard died May 13 at his Minneapolis apartment due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

Gillis sees the connection between the three players but didn't want to jump to conclusions.

 

"Three separate incidents have occurred," he said. "I think they are all very different in nature but similar in certain ways.

 

"Really, some thought has to be given to analysis and an appropriate reaction."

 

In Rypien's case, the message Gillis hopes to convey is problems with mental health can affect anyone in society.

 

"I intend to talk about some of the things we faced," said Gillis. "It doesn't matter what profession you are in, or how much money you are making or what kind of adulation you may get from the public. That doesn't change the fact that mental health issues still are around and affect people.

 

"I'm hoping we can educate (people) about the experience we had and maybe provide some comfort that it isn't an isolated thing based on social-economic backgrounds or how many resources are at your disposal. It's something that is there and has to be dealt with as effectively as possible."

A spokesman for Canadian Mental Health Association said sports organizations like the Canucks carry a powerful voice, especially in reaching young people.

 

"We need leadership for the silence to be broken," said Bev Gutry, chief executive officer of the association's B.C. division.

 

"We need champions to speak out about these issues. If we can break the stigma, not only will people reach out for help, they will get help."

 

Rypien's death sent a shudder through the Canucks organization. He was well liked by the other players and the team did its best to support him.

"Rick was a really good person who we all respected in life an awful lot," Gillis said. "We had been through an awful lot. We felt confident we had got beyond certain things that really affected Rick.

 

"We had a sense of confidence we had got to a point where we didn't have to be concerned about him all the time. Then to have that (his death) happen so suddenly was really surprising and disappointing."

 

Gillis still wonders what more the organization could have done to help Rypien.

 

"It makes you reflect back about what you could have done differently or what you could have done more of or less off," he said. "It's hard to come to terms with that."

 

The Canucks for Kids Fund gives money to assist charities who support children's health and wellness and encourages education in B.C.

 

Last year the fund gave out over $4.4 million in grants to various charities.