Former Regina Pats captain Rick Rypien has apparently been found dead in his Alberta apartment.

According to reports, RCMP in Crowsnest have confirmed the death, but do not consider it suspicious.

Regina Pats President Brent Parker was saddened by the news of Rypien's passing.

“We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Rypien family and all of his friends and teammates during this difficult time.”

Rypien was granted a leave of absense a few times during his time with the Vancouver Canucks to deal with personal issues.

He had signed with the Winnipeg Jets this off-season.

This is the second death in the NHL this off-season, the other being Saskatchewan's Derek Boogaard.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Chris Morin.

This story was first reported on Aug. 15, 2011, at 7:39 p.m.