Laperriere Wishes to Remain in Colorado
(Translated from Cyberpresse.ca)
Read the original text here
By François Lemenu
La Presse Canadienne
February 13, 2009 - Denver - Ian Laperriere will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. His greatest desire? Staying in Colorado.
"I want to stay here. My family is well established. I only hope to be in the plans of the team," said the 35-year-old veteran, who completed his fourth season in the uniform of the Colorado Avalanche.
Laperriere is not the only in this situation. Joe Sakic, Tyler Arnason, Jordan Leopold, Andrew Raycroft, Benoit Guite, Brian Willsie and Daniel Tjarnqvist are among the key players who can take advantage of their complete autonomy at the end of the season. Only Sakic is assured to remain in Denver, unless he decides to hang up his skates.
A small miracle
Before facing the Canadiens, the Avalanche occupied the last place of the Western Conference. Participation in the playoffs seems increasingly uncertain; the team is eight points behind the team in eighth place. If the situation were to worsen, the Avalanche could become a "seller" at the trade deadline.
"That will take a small miracle from us," recognizes Laperriere, a player with a gutsy style. "There is nevertheless always the hope of taking part in the series. We will play the majority of our games against teams from the West. For the rest, I take it from day to day."
Laperriere is encouraged by the idea of again seeing Sakic and Paul Stastny in uniform.
"We had a frustrating season," said the forward, a native of Montreal. We had our share of injuries, although injuries are part of the game."
Sakic had back surgery in addition to suffering fractures to the fingers in a snow-blower accident.
"Joe is training hard in the gym. He will do everything to return to the game."
A future captain
Stastny himself recovers from a fractured forearm that required surgery. He trained with his teammates Friday and should return to the line-up during the team's next trip to the east coast.
"This is our next captain," Laperriere says, in speaking of Stastny. "He inherited the leadership qualities of his father (Peter), who was my teammate. I also know his mother. He took the qualities of both parents. He is very calm, no matter the situation. This is the first quality of a leader."
Laperriere was the sixth selection of Blues and the 158th player claimed in 1992. In St. Louis, he was not only the teammate of Peter Stastny, but also of Guy Carbonneau. He played in 71 games with the Blues before being traded to New York (Rangers) where he played briefly. It is in Los Angeles where he really settled. He wore the colors of Kings for over eight seasons before finding himself in Colorado upon the return from the lock-out.
In Colorado, where he wants to finish his career.