Dedication to Hockey Natural for Laperriere
(from the Los Angeles Times)
By Jerry Crowe
Staff Writer
March 15, 2003 - Ian Laperriere is the King nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, as voted upon by the Los Angeles chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The trophy is awarded to the NHL player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
"I just try to be myself," said Laperriere, who has overcome abdominal surgery, knee surgery, an elbow injury and a concussion this season, as well as the strain of worrying about his father, Michel, who has pancreatic cancer. "When people appreciate that, it's a bonus."