A Colorado Jersey Fit for a Former King
(from TheFourthPeriod.com)
By Anita Icenogle
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 17, 2004 - Ian Laperriere, the former Los Angeles Kings' tough right-winger, was approached by several clubs and offered a higher salary before agreeing to a $1.3 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
The move, according to Laperriere is a "business decision" that clearly has less to do with money, and more to do with winning. With his sights set on a Stanley Cup run, the 30-year-old forward noted that playing for the Avalanche will give him that chance.
"It's a chance to win," he explained. "Other teams offered more money, but Colorado wins every year. It's a great move for me and my family."
"My wife is excited," he continued. "We love LA. The Kings treated me well, and the fans are great, but this was a family and business decision for me."
Laperriere, known by the Kings and their fans as "Lappy," is also excited about reuniting with former teammate Rob Blake and playing alongside stars like Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.
One might think that the Colorado Avalanche, with its heavy French Canadian ties (the team is the former Quebec Nordiques), might have played a part in this Quebec native's decision.
Think again.
"I grew up in Montreal. The Nordiques were the enemy," chuckled Laperriere, "I was a Canadiens fan. I was joking that when I signed with the Avalanche that I had just signed with the enemy!"
Money didn't sway Lappy into joining the dark side, but the chance to win the Stanley Cup, well, that's priceless.
"I'm excited," he said. "I don't think it's really going to sink in until I'm wearing the Colorado Jersey. It doesn't seem real yet."
The reality of playing for the Avalanche may not happen anytime soon. Although training camp is scheduled to start next month, the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Hockey League Player's Association (NHLPA) expires September 15, and, according to Laperriere, who was the NHLPA player representative for the Kings, a resolution is not in sight.
"We are very far apart," he said. "The owners want to lock us out and the deal that they are offering is more of a great deal for the owners."
If the dispute is not settled by the time the CBA expires, the owners will stall the start of the year by locking out the players, which could prevent a 2004-05 season completely.
"I would like to get to Denver before training camp and get settled with the family," Lappy commented.
The only thing preventing that move is the outcome of this dispute.
A move from the sunny beaches of Los Angeles to the more seasonal climate of Colorado is one that the winger welcomes.
"It's been 10-years since we've really seen the snow," he recalled. "The altitude will be hard to adjust to, but it might give me an edge to be playing in it all the time."