Rick Rypien Dead: Tributes Come Flooding In

Rick Rypien's sudden death announced on Monday has brought in a flood of tributes across the internet as fans wait to find out the cause of the NHL star's death.

Fans have used Facebook to initiate a gathering outside the Roger Neilson statue at Vancouver's Roger Arena where they will meet to sign a book offering their condolences, which will later be sent to the Rypien family.

Rypien's former teammate, Craig Schira, was surfing the internet when he came across the headline that Rypien had died.

"I was stunned, I had to take a moment before clicking the link," said the former Vancouver Giant, who played one season with Rypien as a member of the Regina Pats. "I was just so sad. Of course, the first thing I thought about was his family, but then the memories started flooding back."

A statement published by NHL on their Website said "Rick was a talented player with an extremely bright future. His hunger for the game made him a valued team member both on and off the ice. This loss has impacted us as more than just a hockey team." The statement was tweeted and re-tweeted by fans throughout Tuesday

Another former teammate George Parros tweeted, "Rick Rypien will be missed. He was the nicest guy, hung with him a few times in VAN...tough as all hell too."

The 27-year-old Winnipeg Jets Player was found dead in his Crosnest Pass, Alberta home on Monday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they received a call about a "sudden and non-suspicious" death, and investigated. No cause of death has been given, Agence France Presse reported.

Rypien had spent parts of six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, but was twice in three years forced off the ice to deal with undisclosed personal issues.