Laperriere's Career Is Over
(from the Courier-Post)
By Chuck Gormley
Courier-Post Staff
October 7, 2010 - VOORHEES — The Flyers will open their regular season tonight in Pittsburgh burdened by the news that Ian Laperriere's 15-year career is over.
Laperriere told the Courier-Post on Wednesday that two doctors advised him to retire because of post-concussion symptoms.
The Flyers have not filed retirement papers with the NHL but are expected to offer Laperriere a position with the club.
"If this is it, I had a hell of a run," Laperriere said. "I played a long time and played a lot of games and met a lot of nice people . . . It is what it is and I wouldn't change anything."
Laperriere, 36, visited with Pittsburgh neurosurgeon Joseph Maroon on Friday and it was determined that the puck he took above his right eye in Game 5 of the Flyers' first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils caused nerve damage behind his eye. A Philadelphia doctor confirmed that finding on Monday.
"My eyesight is 20/20 on one side and 20/15 on the other," Laperriere said. "But when I get the lights going and there's movement around me, my eyes kind of blur and it gets worse and worse and I feel like I'm not myself and that's the thing that scares me. That's why I can't play . . . If I'm not sharp out there, especially with my game, I'm going to get killed."
Laperriere has two years remaining on his contract with the Flyers with a salary cap hit of $1.166 million. If he retires, his salary will count against the Flyers' salary cap for those two years because he signed a contract after he turned 35. For now, the Flyers are keeping Laperriere on injured reserve while they decide whether to place him on long-term injury reserve, which would remove his salary from a cap hit, or announce his retirement.
Even though he played in Philadelphia just one season, Laperriere became a fan favorite and a locker room legend when he twice blocked shots with his face last season. On Nov. 27 he slid in front of a shot by Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Pominville and lost seven teeth. And on April 22 he needed 70 stitches to close a cut above his right eye after blocking a shot by Devils defenseman Paul Martin, now with the Penguins.
"I think his actions on the ice speak for themselves," Flyers center/right wing Jeff Carter said. "Most people didn't get to see what he brings to the locker room as well. He's probably one of the top people I've ever played with . He's one of the best. He came to the rink with a smile every day and worked his (behind) off every day at practice and every night in the games. That's all you can ask from a teammate."
Said Flyers assistant coach Craig Berube, who played against Laperriere as a player: "It's tough on the team, but it's tough on him, too. He thought he'd get better by now and it's hard when you're told you can't play.
"Last year I don't think I saw anybody better at his job than him. Fighting, blocking shots, great guy in the room. He was really good at what he did."
It is unclear whether Laperriere will continue with the Flyers as a coach or a scout but he said he would like to learn the "other side of the game."
Despite the news on Laperriere, the Flyers enter this season with high expectations after falling just two wins short of their first Stanley Cup in 35 years.
"It is exciting, maybe this year more than others," Flyers captain Mike Richards said. "It's an exciting time for this team. We've got 82 games to prove it, but this team is capable of a lot."
Veteran defenseman Chris Pronger is expected to play tonight after missing the entire eight-game preseason while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. Goaltender Brian Boucher is expected to get the call as the Flyers' opening night starter against the team many will measure the Flyers against.
The Penguins finished with 101 points last season, 13 more than the Flyers, and knocked the Flyers out of the playoffs in 2008 and 2009.
"They are an elite team in this conference, along with Washington, and Jersey and we are going to be strong. They'll be excited to play in their brand new building and I'm sure (Sidney) Crosby is going to be flying.
"It's going to be a great test for our first game."
Reach Chuck Gormley at cgormley@courierpostonline.com