Lappy's 1,000th Game Invokes Look at Future
(from the Denver Post)
By Adrian Dater
The Denver Post
April 11, 2009 - Ian Laperriere plays his 1,000th NHL game today and wants to play a bunch more before the skates are hung up for good. But the 35-year-old Avalanche forward already knows what he wants to do when that day comes.
"I'll give coaching a shot, for sure," Laperriere said Friday. "Hopefully, I've made enough friends in this game that somebody's going to give me a chance. I'll pay my dues, and I'm not expecting to be a head coach in the NHL right away.
"It's something I've been thinking about the last couple of years. When you hit your 30s, you start thinking about that stuff. You know you won't be able to play this game forever, unfortunately."
Laperriere hopes to be able to play at least a couple more years, and probably will continue to play "until they tear the sweater off me."
Whether he plays for the Avalanche in 2009-10 remains an open question, as he has no contract for next season. Talks toward an extension before the NHL trade deadline bore no fruit, and Laperriere could become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Laperriere wants to return to Colorado but will play for anybody who wants him and offers a reasonable price.
Meantime, two games remain, and Laperriere acknowledged today's against the Vancouver Canucks means a lot personally.
"Growing up back home, my dream was just to play one game in the NHL," he said. "Now, it's the 1,000th game — it's special, no doubt. I'm grateful to a lot of people who helped make it happen for me."
The Avalanche will honor Laperriere with pregame festivities.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com