No Change
Excerpt from Sakic Is Named Captain of West All-Stars Team
(from the Rocky Mountain News)
By Jim Benton
Rocky Mountain News
January 19, 2007 - Forward Ian Laperriere was carrying on a conversation and had a big smile on his face Thursday, despite the fact he hasn't collected a point in the Avalanche's past 17 games.
Last season, Laperriere set career highs for goals (21), assists (24) and points (45) in his first campaign with the Avalanche.
This season, the personable 32-year-old French Canadian has recorded one goal and 11 assists in 46 games.
He does lead the team with 88 penalty minutes, which includes 12 fighting majors. He is the only Avalanche player with a fighting major this season.
"He's upbeat, he's always talking and it's great," Sakic said. "He hasn't changed one bit. He's playing hard, he's playing well, he's doing a great job when he kills (penalties), and he looks out for his teammates. He's doing everything you can ask.
"He's obviously great in the dressing room. You can't shut him up."
Laperriere is outgoing even when talking about a sore subject like his point production.
"Obviously I want to help the team by scoring. On the other hand, you are put in a position to do that sometimes," he said. "Now my role is more defensively - go out there and bang, and if I need to get into a fight, I'll get into a fight. It's not different from what I had been doing until last year."