After missing most of last season due to a sports hernia followed by a personal matter, Rick Rypien says he is now 100 per cent both physically and mentally.
"If I can overcome what I went through last year and the past two years with injuries and all that stuff, you know I don't think it can get much worse than that," said Rypien yesterday. "Now I'm just re-energized, got a different outlook on everything, just new focus, and I think it doesn't matter what's thrown at me.
"I can handle everything right now."
The Canucks forward, who had three goals in 12 games last year, has been riddled with injuries since his Vancouver debut in 2005.
* Preseason kicks off tonight for the Canucks, as half of the current camp roster heads to Terrace, B.C. to play the N.Y. Islanders. (7 p.m. Sportsnet).
