Ian Laperriere in the Community
2009-2010
"Ian Laperriere is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular professional athletes in all of sports – and when I say that, I mean both in his sport, and in the community. Nobody does it better."
Kyle Keefe - April 15, 2009 - Avalanche All Access
2nd Annual Flyers Charities Celebrity Golf Invitational
RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve - September 28, 2009
Hosted by Scott Hartnell
Ian Laperriere and Mike Richards laugh it up. (Photo by Comcast Spectacor Foundation)
Lappy checks out the raw bar. (Photo by Comcast Spectacor Foundation)
Soldiers Visit Flyers' Practice
Ian Laperierre chats with some soldiers from Fort Dix after practice on November 10, 2009. (Photo courtesy of FlyersOnTheFly)
Locker-room Visitors
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/11/09)
Nineteen soldiers, most of them from Fort Dix, N.J., visited the locker room and chatted and posed for pictures with the players.
"You guys are the heroes," Flyers winger Ian Laperriere told them.
As van Riemsdyk signed autographs, he also had words of encouragement: "Thanks for all you do for us," he said.
Said Stevens: "There's great appreciation for the commitment they give to us, and the time away from their families and putting themselves in harm's way. It's really a treat for us to spend some time with them."
This was the fourth straight year the Flyers have been visited by the military.
Update on Ellie
Many of you may remember Ellie, Ian's date for the 2009 Colorado Avalanche Charity Brunch and Fashion Show. Ellie is a young girl who has battled cancer since age 2, who grew very close to Lappy during his time in Colorado.
We are happy to report that as of June 10, 2009, Ellie is officially in remission.
Ellie and Ian at the 2009 Fashion Show
(You can read more about their time at the Brunch here.)
When the Flyers came to play against the Avalanche in November, Ellie and Lappy had a chance to re-unite at the morning skate at Pepsi Center.
From Ellie's journal:
We are also so grateful that Ellie was able to have a reunion with her very, very cool and best friend, Lappy! Many of you remember when Ellie met Lappy back in October of 2008 and the immediate bond that was formed - a very special friendship. He always checks in with Ellie to see how she is feeling.
Ellie went on to be in the AVS Fashion Show with him (many of you remember those pics) and he would come and visit her in the hospital just to brighten her day a bit when she was admitted after getting chemo.
And he did brighten her days - Ellie loves Lappy and the feeling is mutual. So, you can understand why we were so so sad when Lappy left the AVS. He came to say goodbye to her over the summer and I'll never forget her and Sophie running down the sidewalk waving as he drove away.
Ellie still talks to him and Lappy has seen pictures of Ellie with hair, but they haven't been able to physically see eachother - until yesterday! Lappy went to play for the Philadelphia Flyers and they were in town yesterday playing the Avs. So, we were able to get tickets with some of our friends who also have a child who is a cancer survivor and who is a great friend of Lappy's as well.
We went early to the Pepsi center with our friends to see Lappy and as soon as Ellie saw him, she went running - right into his arms. It was priceless! She was so excited to see him and he could not believe her hair and her cheeks and how healthy she looks! It was great fun! All you had to do was see the look in both of their eyes.
Lappy is just great with kids and it was cool to see him with his other little buddy as well. We just are so thankful to be on this side - to be able to see how far she has come in one year - it was a little over a year ago when she met Lappy - bald, fragile, sunken eyes, a very sore g tube so Lappy had to be very careful when picking her up and then seeing her one year later - vibrant, with hair, running for full hugs without worrying about g tubes or anything - It is just awesome to see!
Something that we will always be grateful for! These people that come into your lives and touch the life of your child forever - we will always be grateful for Lappy!
Hero Worship
(from hockeyism.com, 11/23/09)
Scott Thurston tells a great story about meeting Ian Laperriere for the first time, and explains why he's a hero, on and off the ice:
"I don't use the word 'hero' lightly. Ian Laperriere has earned the honor by the way he lives his life, and I feel honored to have been given a first-hand glimpse. It was exactly what I expected to see. I'm glad to know my heroes are worthy."
Holiday Shopping with the Philadelphia Flyers
(from the Official Facebook Page of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House)
On Friday, December 18, Flyer Ian Laperriere spent the afternoon shopping at Target for holiday wish list items for Ronald McDonald House families.
PRMH's Tim Lewoc joined Laperriere on this very special outing.
Thank you to the Flyers for their ongoing support!
(Photos used with the permission of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House)
Game Changers: The Flyers Give Toys
(from NBC Philadelphia, 12/23/09)
This is a very special Game Changers, because the Flyers raised money to get toys for children in need. Now they're shopping at Target to make a memorable Christmas for kids at the Ronald McDonald Houses in the region.
The Flyers Give Back to the Community
(from CSNPhilly.com, 12/25/09)
(Tip: try to refresh the page if the video player does not load properly at first.)
Flyers Wives Fight For Lives Carnival 2010
The annual Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival took place at the Wachovia Center on January 10, 2010. The group has raised nearly $22 million for local charities in the last 32 years.
Footage of the Carnival from the Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo by Jack Cassidy)
Send us your photos with Ian if you'd like to be included in the Fan Photo Gallery
Lappy and JVR take part in the Rock Band Challenge at the event. (Photo by neat1325)
Click here for more information on the Carnival
Tooth Fairy
Excerpt from "Flyers-Caps Provide Plenty of Intrigue"
(from CSNPhilly.com - 1/16/10)
Maybe if he had some teeth Ian Laperriere would actually get something under a pillow. Anyway, he and Kimmo Timonen hosted a large group of youngsters Friday at the movies in Voorhees to see an advance screening of the movie, "Tooth Fairy," about a minor league hockey player who becomes an enforcer. Billy Crystal, Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd and Julie Andrews star in the film.
Flyers Charities Player's Favorite Things Basket Auction
During the Flyers-Wild game on Thursday, March 25, 2010, Flyers' fans had a chance to bid on baskets of the players' favorite things to benefit Flyers Charities.
Ian Laperriere's Favorite Things
Autographed Winter Classic Bottle of Wine in Wooden Winter Classic Case
iPod Touch 8GB
Starbucks Travel Mug
Bag of Lay's Ketchup Flavor Potato Chips
Laperriere's Autographed Easton Hockey Gloves
Autographed White Reebok Mesh Flyers Fitted Hat (size L-XL)
"The Hangover" DVD
"Anchorman" DVD
Autographed Flyers Pucks
Bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs Candy
Bag of Lindt Lindor Truffles
Autographed Ian Laperriere Photo
Three $25 Gift Cards to The Cheesecake Factory
Starbucks $40 Gift Card
Unveiling Flyers Room at RMH of Southern NJ
Ian Laperriere and his wife Magali unveiled a refurbished Flyers-themed room at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey on Friday, May 7, 2010. The room was redesigned by Heather Hatcher, complete with hand-painted Flyers murals, bedding and more. Ian and Magali, who brought bags of toys and books with them, also spent time visiting with families after unveiling the room.
With Ronald McDonald sculpture are Ian Laperriere, his wife Magali, and Teddy Thomas, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
(Photo courtesy of Flyers Charities)
Heather Hatcher, wife of Flyers Player Development Coach Derian Hatcher, hand-painted the murals and inspirational quotes. (Photo courtesy of Flyers Charities)
View the rest of the photos here