Masterton nomination a 'great compliment' for Flyers' Laperriere
(from the Philadelphia Daily News)
By Frank Seravalli
Philadelphia Daily News
June 21, 2011 - LAS VEGAS - In October, when hockey becomes a blip on the Philadelphia sports radar again, the Flyers will see a familiar name on their Opening Night roster: Ian Laperriere.
But it's highly unlikely that Laperriere will be on the ice in uniform.
Multiple neurologists and concussion experts have advised Laperriere, 37, to hang up his skates for good. He has not played since the Flyers were eliminated in the Stanley Cup finals by Chicago last June.
Laperriere sat out last season, which he called the toughest of his 16-year career, with post-concussion symptoms and an eye injury sustained when blocking a puck with his face earlier in the 2010 playoff run.
But it's accurate to say that the Flyers will not have a bigger supporter - or more dedicated teammate - than Laperriere in their locker room next season. No matter how much he is around the team.
For that, Laperriere was nominated as one of three finalists for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.
The winner will be announced tomorrow night at the NHL Awards show held at the Palms Casino and Resort here in Las Vegas. Two former Flyers, Ray Emery and Daymond Langkow, are the other finalists for the Masterton Trophy.
"Honestly, I was shocked to be recognized even when I didn't play a game this year," Laperriere said. "To be recognized as someone that is passionate about the game of hockey is really a great compliment."
Laperriere could become the third Flyer (Bobby Clarke in 1972, Tim Kerr in 1989) to win the Masterton since its inception in 1968. Emery, who played with the Flyers in 2009-10, returned after sitting nearly a year because of an intense bone-graft surgery that saved his hip bone. Langkow missed more than a calendar year because of spinal-cord damage sustained from a slap shot to the neck.
Laperriere was the only one to not return to action this season after a serious injury.
Nearly all of last season, Laperriere's equipment hung neatly in his locker stall untouched. He still collected his paycheck like any other player. But rather than go into hiding or return to his native Quebec, Laperriere wanted to make a difference.
Last November, he began making trips to impart words of wisdom for the farm-hand Phantoms in Glens Falls, N.Y., and other draft picks around the country. By April, Laperriere was running practices for the Flyers' scratches in the playoffs.
"I had to get past that initial shock," Laperriere said. "Even a year later, it's not any easier that I'm not playing. But I think you just get used to it. I know the way I am, and if I would have just sat around, I would have went nuts."
The Flyers - and Philadelphia - have become a part of him. Like so many other professional athletes who make it to Philadelphia, Laperriere will not be leaving the area - even after his contract expires at the end of next season.
Career stops in St. Louis, Los Angeles and Colorado couldn't sway Laperriere like Philadelphia has. The Laperriere family, with wife Magali and sons Tristan and Zachary, are in the process of building a house in Haddonfield, N.J.
Not wanting to be a distraction, Laperriere avoided going on road trips and skating with the Flyers regulars at practice last season. He said he sometimes felt like he was "getting in the way" by working out at the team's practice facility.
"He's still part of this team," coach Peter Laviolette said in April. "You miss a guy like him. He exhibits his character and work ethic and love of the game more than anyone else. He is what you want your team to exemplify."
With 1 more year left on his contract, Laperriere is much more than a well-paid development coach. He actually will play an integral role in the strapped team's salary-cap compliance.
The league's collective bargaining agreement requires Laperriere to start Day 1 of the season on the roster and on the salary cap. Even if Laperriere were to file retirement papers, his full $1.167 million earnings would count against the Flyers' salary cap in full since he signed a special "Over-35" contract in 2009.
It is only on Day 2 that the Flyers can send Laperriere to the long-term injury list to allow a replacement player to take his spot and salary off the roster.
The Flyers also would need to convince the NHL that Laperriere is still attempting to play in order to qualify for the cap relief. The NHL has challenged and investigated attempts that teams have used to circumvent the cap via the long-term injury list.
The league did it almost yearly with the Flyers and Mike Rathje. Rathje was paid $3.5 million as recently as 2010, despite not having skated since 2007 because of a back injury.
The NHL can even call a neutral physician to make a ruling if a team physician says a player is unfit to play.
None of that changes anything for Laperriere.
"I'm not in any rush," he said. "I'm not Brett Favre. Once I'm done, I'm not coming back. Some people might think it's a big favor [to not retire], but I have been around long enough to know that not every team would take care of their players the way the Flyers have taken care of me. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. If I was going to take a puck in the face with any team, it would be this one."
For now, this well-earned vacation in the desert with his family and mother Francine will give Laperriere plenty of time to think about the future. And the past. Those who know him know this honor was not just one unusually quiet year in the making.
seravaf@phillynews.com