The Face of the Flyers
Tough Laperriere feels the love from Philadelphia fans
(from the Toronto Sun)
By Lance Hornby
Toronto Sun
May 24, 2010 - When Zack Hill, the Flyers' public relations man, tipped off Ian Laperriere to get ready for an emotional video tribute a few games ago, the injured winger thought he was kidding.
"Zack goes to me: 'You'll have an ovation, they love you' and I was like: 'Come on, I've been here (just) seven months, give me a break'."
But the next thing Laperriere knew, he was giving the royal wave from the Wachovia Center press box. Flyers fans like their hockey players tough and if Laperriere is going to stick his face in front of a Paul Martin point drive to keep this playoff push going, he'll feel the love, whether he's been around seven months or seven minutes.
The resulting damage, broken orbital bone, a 'brain bruise' and other difficulties, sidelined him from the rest of the New Jersey series, all of the seven-game comeback win against Boston and the first three games of the Eastern final against Montreal.
But Laperriere returned for Game 4 on Saturday, and was back on home ice Monday, his personal payback for the fans. Yes, he would throw himself in the same dangerous firing line again and no, his eggs aren't scrambled for saying so. He even was volunteering for penalty-killing duty Monday night, which multiplies such risks.
"If I got a chance to (block), I'll go down again," he said. "If I'm afraid of that, I might as well retire because I won't be effective. There are people asking why are you coming back, why not wait for next year? Well, if I'm clear this year, why wait until next year? If I can't come back now, I might as well not come back at all."
But if the dangerous incident changed one thing about Laperriere's approach to the sport, it's to wear a visor; a full shield for now under doctor's orders and a half next year. He has been struck in the face by pucks twice this season.
"That (second) injury kind of made me forget about the warrior personality," Laperriere joked. "After that first one in November, (assistant coach) Craig Berube, one of the toughest guys to ever play, said: 'Maybe you should wear a shield'. I was like: 'No, no, I have that mentality, like I'm tough, I want to play tough, I want to look tough.'
"After that second one, it never even crossed my mind. I'm wearing a shield next year."