NHL suspends Canucks' Rypien for six games

Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien has been suspended six games for his altercation with a fan on Tuesday in Minnesota.

The forward attended an in-person disciplinary hearing on Friday morning in New York, that also included NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and vice-president Colin Campbell among others.

The Canucks also were fined $25,000, as required by League policy.

Rypien, who was assessed a double minor for roughing, as well as a 10-minute misconduct in the second period of the Canucks loss to the Wild, was heading down the tunnel to the dressing room when he pushed a Wild fan that was applauding at the railing.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie told Off the Record on Wednesday that the presence of Bettman, who would not normally attend these type of hearings, is due to the fact that the incident happened off the ice.

"You cross that line and go into the stands, then it become a bigger issue in hockey operations," McKenzie said.

Have your say. Is a six game suspension enough?

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  Vancouver Canucks center Rick Rypien (37) is pulled by linesman Don Henderson toward the Vancouver bench after being assessed a double minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Tuesday Oct. 19, 2010 in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)