He played junior hockey for the Calgary Canadians from 1922 to 1925. Ripley turned pro with the Minneapolis Millers in 1925-26. In 1928-29 he made the Chicago Black Hawks and stayed with them for five seasons as a strong two-way forward. In 1932-33 he was traded to the Boston Bruins; in 1933-34 to the New York Rangers; in 1934-35 to the St. Louis Flyers. He played in a total of 278 NHL games and scored 51 goals and 49 assists. After 1935 he played in the minor pros until his retirement in 1944.