Report: Minnesota fan will hire attorney
The Minnesota Wild fan who was shoved by Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien Tuesday night says he will seek legal representation, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday.
James Engquist, 28, was pushed by Rypien as he walked off the ice after receiving a double minor for roughing and a 10-minute game misconduct during the game’s second period.
"I was just standing straight up applauding as he was getting kicked out,” Engquist said.
“He was out of control. And then I said, 'Way to be professional,' and he obviously didn’t care for that comment and decided to grab me and almost dragged me over the rail.
“I was assaulted, that's just the bottom line,” Engquist added.
The NHL suspended Rypien indefinitely on Wednesday, pending a league hearing, as a result of the altercation during the Canucks’ 6-2 loss to Minnesota.
The league said Wednesday it would not comment further until the matter has been resolved.
Rypien has scored nine goals and accumulated 214 penalty minutes in his six NHL seasons, all with the Canucks.
