Ian Laperriere in the Community
2008-2009
"Ian Laperriere has one of the biggest hearts in hockey..."
Sporting News 2007-08 Hockey Edition
Father of the Year Awards 2008
Lappy One of Four Fathers Recognized by American Diabetes Association
(From the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
The American Diabetes Association and the Denver Father's Day Council hosted the 2008 Father of the Year Awards on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver. This year's honorees included Ken Ellgen, XCel Energy, Executive Director (Retired), Mark Hellerstein, Chairman of the Board/Director, St. Mary Land & Exploration Company, Ian Laperriere, Alternate Captain, Colorado Avalanche, and Mike Shaw, Founder and Owner Mike Shaw Automotive, four outstanding fathers in the Colorado community.
"We are proud to honor these four exceptional fathers who have demonstrated the ability to balance their personal lives, while achieving a high-level of success in their careers." said Perri Dombroski, Associate Director at the American Diabetes Association. "All of these fathers are very deserving of this award."
(Donn Bruns/Lifestyle Photography)
More Information
Luc Robitaille's 3rd Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament
Proceeds to Benefit Shelter for Serenity and Echoes of Hope
Colorado Avalanche players Ian Laperriere and Scott Hannan participate in the Luc Robitaille/Shelter for Serenity Celebrity Poker Tournament at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino September 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche player Ian Laperriere and Luc Robitaille's wife Stacia Robitaille pose during the Luc Robitaille/Shelter for Serenity Celebrity Poker Tournament at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino September 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Breaking the Ice: Stastny and Laperriere
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, Kroenke Sports' Fan Development Department hosted a "Break the Ice" skating clinic with Avalanche forwards Ian Laperriere and Paul Stastny for approximately 30 pediatric cancer patients from The Children's Hospital.
Lappy and his buddy Tristan; Tristan has an intracranial brain tumor called a germinoma.
Read more about Tristan's journey here
(All Photos by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Video Clip and Interviews with Ian and Paul
Ian and Teammates Meet With Ellie
Ian Laperriere, along with teammates Peter Budaj, Jordan Leopold and Ben Guite, spent some time with Ellie Rolfs during
her visit to the Avs' locker room on November 30, 2008.
Ellie is a 3-year-old girl battling cancer, who recently recently had a Stage IV Wilms tumor the size of two softballs removed from her 27-pound body.
Photos from the Denver Post, 11/30/08
Click here to learn more about Ellie and her cause
Avalanche Visits The Children's Hospital
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Players Spread Holiday Cheer with Annual Visit
The Colorado Avalanche brought smiles and holiday cheer to some very special children when the team made its annual holiday visit to The Children's Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Every December, the players and coaches visit the young patients at The Children's Hospital in an effort to lift their spirits during the holiday season.
The players and coaches visited patient rooms, distributed Avalanche toys, signed autographs, took pictures with the children and their families and, most importantly, talked with the kids to help brighten their day.
'Tis the Season
(from The Rocky Mountain News - December 12, 2008)
Avalanche players forgot all about such things as slumps, scoring streaks, injuries, points and standings for a while Thursday afternoon when they made their annual Christmas visit to Children's Hospital.
The players visited patients' rooms and handed out Avalanche toys, signed autographs and had photos taken with ill children and their families.
"It puts everything in perspective, for sure," right wing Ian Laperriere said. "You go there for an hour or two and put a smile on those kids' faces and make them feel good, and it really makes us feel good, too."
Breaking the Ice: Ben Guite
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Ian Laperriere joined teammate Ben Guite as he hosted a Break the Ice clinic for sled hockey participants from the National Sports Center for the Disabled. The program helps introduce the sport of hockey to kids who might not have the opportunity to be exposed to it.
Special thanks from Adam Smith:
"I am the VP for the Colorado Avalanche Sled Hockey program (www.coloradosledhockey.org) and last night we did an ability camp for disabled children at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche always have at least one player come skate with us and last night it was Ben Guite. However, without being asked, Ian showed up, and hung out with us, signed autographs, helped the kids, took a ton of pictures, etc. It warmed my heart to watch him interact with the kids and I think he is one of the best pro athlete role models in town. Thank you again, Ian."
Our Visit to Ronald McDonald House
On Friday, January 30, 2009, Ian was kind enough to join us in visiting the kids at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver.
Lappy signed autographs and we talked with some old friends at the House and made some new friends too. (We may have even converted some new hockey fans!)
Avs' Charity Brunch Raises Over $95,000
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
The annual Colorado Avalanche Charity Brunch, hosted by the Avs Better Halves, was held February 8, 2009 at the
Marriott City Center in downtown Denver.
The sold-out event raised in excess of $95,000 for local children's charities.
This annual heart-warming event also included a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind gift baskets filled with Avalanche players' "favorite things" and a buffet brunch served by Avalanche players and coaches. The day's highlight was the fashion show pairing Avalanche players and coaches with special Ambassadors from The Children's Hospital. Since 1997, the Colorado Avalanche Charity Brunch alone has raised over $600,000 for local children's charities.
Video of the Fashion Show From ColoradoAvalanche.com
Ian was paired up with one of his favorite ambassadors for the Children's Hospital, Ellie. Ellie was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor on April 22nd at the age of 2. The very large tumor was removed on Thursday April 24th. She also had a tumor removed from her lung in June. Her battle will continue for at least the next several months.
Video of the Fashion Show From 9news.com, including an interview with Ellie
(Above photos by Michael Martin/Colorado Avalanche)
From Ellie's journal:
Ellie was so excited to see them all – and of course, she ran right up to Lappy and gave him a huge hug! Priceless!! It's awesome to see the special bond they have. The players hung out with all the families for a while and then it was time for Ellie to get "dressed up" and so we went to a back room where she got her dress on and also got makeup and......... sparkles!!! A girl can't walk down the runway without sparkles, can she?? After she was dressed, we went out to watch the show and left her in Lappy's very capable hands. Apparently she did great dancing for him backstage since they had to be back there for about 1/2 hour before getting the show going.
She walked the runway with "Lappy" and yes – you do see hockey gloves on her. When they got down to the end of the runway – she did a "princess twirl" but then, she "dropped the gloves" for Lappy! It was quite hilarious!!
Video of the Fashion Show From cbs4denver.com
(Photo courtesy of Ellie's family)
Lappy Gives Cancer Patient Birthday Gift
(from 9NEWS.com)
Arapahoe Warriors goalie Tristan Close (who's recovering from recent brain cancer surgery) got quite the surprise when his favorite athlete showed up at his birthday party...
Read more about Tristan's journey here
Team Fit: Galiardi, Laperriere and Peltier
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Avalanche players T.J. Galiardi, Ian Laperriere and Derek Peltier recently took part in a Team Fit event, where they taught children from Shopneck Boys and Girls Club about the importance of proper nutrition.
24 Hours of Hockey
A Benefit for The Children's Hospital in Aurora, CO
The 2009 "24 Hours of Hockey" event, held on May 29 - 30, was a huge success, with initial estimates indicating that over $40,000 was raised for the Children's Hospital.
Message from the Carter Family, from the Foothills Flyers:
"My son participated in the 24 Hours of Hockey fundraiser for the Children's Hospital. Here is a picture of my son with Lappy. Lappy is holding the picture he signed for my son. My son got to skate with him, and then do a stick and puck session with him."
"Everything you hear about Lappy being such a wonderful, generous person – it is true. He is AMAZING! I wanted my son to meet him because I believe he embodies everything a hero is.
I watched Lappy interact with the kids on the ice. He made an effort to acknowledge all of the kids out on the ice, either by talking to them, patting them on the head, high fiving them, you name it. There is no ego there – just a great human being. My son was in awe of him, as am I."