Ian Laperriere News and Photos
December 2009
Excerpt from "Gagne on the Mend"
(from the Norristown Times Herald, 12/1/09)
Just three days after taking a slapshot by Buffalo's Jason Pominville full in the face, Ian Laperriere continued to play and practice as if nothing had happened. Of course, you could tell something had happened - Laperriere's face looks like a horror show and his new nickname is "Mumbles."
"It hurts like hell, I'll tell you that," Laperriere said. "It's a bad feeling... But it's not going to keep me from playing."
Laperriere even shocked some of his teammates when he returned to take shifts against the Sabres Friday. Said James van Riemsdyk: "To see this guy come back with his lip hanging over his toes...that was pretty incredible. There are guys on this team that have some heart, but (Laperriere) tops them all."
Laperriere estimated he received "somewhere between 50-100 stitches" backstage before returning to the ice in that game against the Sabres.
"It was gross," he said. "I don't wish that on anyone."
Lappy on the Mend
(from the Flyers' Official Twitter, 12/2/09)
"Ian Laperierre is on the mend from taking a puck to the face on November 27. Don't say we didn't warn you."
Click here to see the photo
Ian Laperriere Named Number 1 Tough Guy of the Week
(from FOXSports.com's NHL Tough Guy Tracker - Week 9, 12/2/09)
An NHL tough guy isn't necessarily someone who goes out and beats the snot out of an opponent every night. Sure, goons like that still exist in the league, but an NHL tough guy is more than that. He is a player who will not only stand up for himself and/or his teammates, but will also play through and dish out pain or a game-changing check whenever his team needs him to do so. In the heat of the battle, sometimes players not known for their toughness get in on the action and either turn some heads or get their heads bashed in.
Number 1: Last week, Ian Laperriere not only showed the hockey world how tough he is, but also just how hard it is to get him out of the lineup. After blocking a Jason Pominville first-period slapshot with his face in a game against Buffalo, where he lost seven teeth and received 50-100 stitches, Laperriere returned to action in the third period of a 4-2 loss to Sabres. As a matter of fact, the tough-as-nails veteran didn't even miss the optional practice the next morning or the game the following night against the Thrashers. Now that's a hockey player!
Lappy Shoots From The Lip
(from the Courier-Post - 12/2/09)
Q: What do you remember about when you were struck in the face on that play (November 27, 2009 vs. Buffalo)?
IL: "I remember a big shock. It shocked me right away when I got hit. The second thing I remember is that I was down looking at my teeth on the ice and there was blood everywhere..."
Flyers 0 - Canucks 3
Ian Laperriere delivered 5 hits and added 2 shots on goal and 1 blocked shot as the Flyers were shut out for the second consecutive game on Thursday, December 3, 2009.
Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperriere can't get a shot past Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo as Canucks' Alexander Edler looks on in the second period, Thursday, December 3, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Vancouver Canucks on December 3, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Laperriere's Grit Impresses Teammates
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 12/4/09)
...Hockey players get their faces rearranged, literally, and argue with the doctor - as Laperriere did - to hurry with the stitching because they want to get back on the ice.
"It was painful, but it was a relief; it could have been way worse," Laperriere said. "It could have been a hit to one of my eyes or my throat. It was a relief, but I was mad at myself more that anything. I put myself in that position..."
Flyers 2 - Capitals 8
Ian Laperriere contributed 4 hits and 3 blocked shots during his 16:13 of ice time as the Flyers were defeated by the Capitals on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Wachovia Center during Peter Laviolette's coaching debut.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Milan Jurcina #23 of the Washington Capitals into the boards on December 5, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere on Montreal's Team 990 Sports Radio
(from thefranchise.ca, 12/6/09)
On Sunday, Gary, Nick and Amanda are joined by Ian Laperierre from the Philadelphia Flyers, who talks about the recent coaching change. Maybe the Canadiens gained some insight on how they can exploit a team having problems winning right now. We also get you updated on how former Hab Latendresse is doing in Minnesota, and run down how many former draft picks are doing in their professional hockey careers.
Download or listen to the podcast here - Lappy's interview starts around 37:45
Homecoming for Lappy
Excerpt from "Boucher Starting Tonight"
(from Frank Seravalli's Frequent Flyers blog on philly.com, 12/7/09)
While Ian Laperriere enjoyed his stops in Colorado and Los Angeles, one thing he missed while playing in the Western Conference were the stops in Montreal to play the Canadiens.
Laperriere, a Montreal native, said that he was born and raised a "Canadiens fan at heart." He was able to have dinner with friends on Sunday night and breakfast with his family and parents Monday morning.
"That's the good thing about being in East," Laperriere said. "But the bad thing is that it's going to cost me a little more in tickets. It's all good. I had a chance to meet my niece, who is three months old, for the first time. It's something special to be in Montreal. This town lives for the Montreal Canadiens. All of the guys [on the Flyers] realize that."
He said his new teeth - the replacements for the seven that were knocked out after he took a slap shot to the face on Black Friday - were set to arrive on Wednesday. Then, he said, he can "resume" his "modeling career."
"I'll be pretty like I was."
Flyers 1 - Canadiens 3
Ian Laperriere delivered 4 hits as the Flyers fell to the Canadiens on Monday, December 7, 2009 in Montreal, the place Lappy likes to call "God's Country."
Philadelphia Flyers' Danny Briere celebrates his goal with teammate Ian Laperriere as Montreal Canadiens' Paul Mara looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, December 7, 2009 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)
Ryan O'Byrne #20 of the Montreal Canadiens battles for the puck with Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the NHL game on December 7, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/Getty Images)
Montreal Canadiens' Marc-Andre Bergeron celebrates his goal with teammates Mike Cammalleri and Andrei Kostitsyn beside Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperriere during the third period of NHL hockey play in Montreal December 7, 2009. (REUTERS/Shaun Best)
Chris Pronger, Brian Boucher and Ian Laperierre react to the 3-1 loss in Montreal on Monday, December 7, 2009. (Courtesy of Flyers TV)
Watch the video here
Ian Laperriere Interview from "The Orange Line"
(from CSNPhilly.com, 12/7/09)
On this week's episode: We breakdown the Flyers coaching change to Peter Laviolette. Ian Laperriere tells us why the punishment he has taken in a decade and a half is all worth it. Riley Cote takes a shot at Flyers radio booth. Flyers coach Joe Mullen breaks down the teams power play.
(Tip: try to refresh the page if the video player does not load properly at first.)
Visit The Orange Line website on CSNPhilly.com
Flyers 6 - Islanders 2
Ian Laperriere was credited with 1 shot on goal, 1 blocked shot and 1 takeaway as the Flyers snapped five-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory against the visiting New York Islanders on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.
Arron Asham #45 and Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers chat with goalies Martin Biron #43 and Dwayne Roloson #30 of the New York Islanders during warmups on December 8, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Flyers 0 - Senators 2
Ian Laperriere contributed 2 shots on goal, 3 hits and 2 blocked shots as the Flyers were shut out by the Senators on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the Wachovia Center.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers controls the puck against Filip Kuba #17 of the Ottawa Senators on December 10, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Laperriere An Early Candidate For TSN's No Guts, No Glory Title
(from TSN.ca, 12/10/09)
The NHL on TSN's No Guts, No Glory title honours NHL players who put themselves in harm's way and display a sense of courage that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Check out this season's early candidates, Drew Doughty and Ian Laperriere.
Click here to cast an early vote for Lappy
In sports, there are few athletes tougher than hockey players.
Over the course of a season, they endure more hits, punches and injuries than anyone else. And they do it all on a thin piece of steel 1/8 of an inch thick at about 40 km an hour.
That being said, the NHL on TSN's No Guts, No Glory title honours the elite within this special group - NHL players who put themselves in harm's way and display a sense of courage that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Ian Laperriere:
On November 27, Philadelphia Flyers winger Ian Laperriere was hit in the face with a rising puck when blocking a Jason Pominville slap shot with his mouth late in the first period of a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Playing on the penalty kill, Laperriere was about 25 feet from Pominville when the Sabres winger uncorked a shot from the point. He lost seven teeth, broke a bone above his lip, and had close to 100 stitches administered before returning to play the third period.
"It was nasty," he said, adding he lost two fake teeth and four actual teeth. "I block shots every game, but that one, my timing was off. I thought [the shot] was lower."
Watch as these two players exemplify the toughness that hockey players have become famous for
Flyers 1 - Devils 4
Ian Laperriere logged a season-high 17:11 of ice time and added 1 hit and 1 blocked shot as the Flyers fell to the Devils on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers is checked hard into the boards by Mark Fraser #2 of the New Jersey Devils during their game at the Prudential Center on December 12, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere, Brian Boucher and Claude Giroux react to the 4-1 loss in New Jersey on December 12, 2009. (Courtesy of Flyers TV)
Watch the video here
Flyers 3 - Bruins 1
Ian Laperriere contributed 1 shot on goal, 1 hit and 1 takeaway in the Flyers' victory over the Bruins in a Winter Classic preview on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the TD Garden in Boston.
The referee calls a no goal for the Boston Bruins against the Philadelphia Flyers at the TD Garden on December 14, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Photo by Steve Babineau/Getty Images)
Michael Ryder #73 of the Boston Bruins tries to keep the puck from Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers on December 14, 2009 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Flyers defeated the Bruins 3-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Ian Laperriere raises his arms as he celebrates a goal by teammate Kimmo Timonen in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Monday, December 14, 2009. In foreground are Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and defenseman Andrew Ference. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Flyers 1 - Penguins 6
Ian Laperriere added 1 shot on goal and 1 blocked shot in his 12:55 of ice time as the Penguins defeated the Flyers in the first game of a home and home series on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in Pittsburgh.
Flyers 2 - Penguins 3 (SO)
Ian Laperriere delivered 2 hits as the Flyers lost in the shootout to the Penguins on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Wachovia Center.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Ruslan Fedotenko and Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperriere chase a loose puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, December 17, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 17, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Flyers 3-2 after a shootout. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Flyers 1 - Rangers 2
Ian Laperriere had 1 shot on goal as the Flyers fell to the Rangers in their first match-up of the season on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Wachovia Center.
Claude Giroux and Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers defend against Chris Drury of the New York Rangers as Ian Laperriere looks on. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Annual Donation to Ronald McDonald House
This weekend we sent out our annual donation to Ronald McDonald House of the proceeds from the sales of our "It's All About Lappy" items. This marked our first donation to the House in Philadelphia.
2009 photo collage that we included with the donation - click above to enlarge
Previous collages:
2008
2007
2006
Flyers 1 - Panthers 4
Ian Laperriere - Fights vs. Gregory Campbell, Mike Duco and Dennis Seidenberg
Ian Laperriere added 2 hits, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot and earned 30 minutes in penalties as the Panthers defeated the Flyers on Monday, December 21, 2009.
"The Flyers did score a 'Lap Trick' - Ian Laperriere had three fights."
(Tim Panaccio, CSNPhilly.com, 12/21/09)
Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Florida Panthers on December 21, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defeated the Flyers 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers trades punches with Gregory Campbell #11 of the Florida Panthers on December 21, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers trades punches with Gregory Campbell #11 of the Florida Panthers on December 21, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Flyers' Laperriere fights Florida Panthers' Gregory Campbell.
(Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
Bryan McCabe #24 of the Florida Panthers skates the puck past Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers on December 21, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Linesmen Jean Morin and Andy McElman separate Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers and Mike Duco of the Florida Panthers after a fight on December 21, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Florida Panthers on December 21, 2009 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defeated the Flyers 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Flyers 5 - Lightning 2
Ian Laperriere - 2 Assists
"Flyers Ian Laperriere assisted on both of Betts' goals for his first points in 23 games."
(Associated Press, 12/23/09)
Santa Coatesy's gift for Lappy - a welder's mask to protect his face while blocking shots (Coatesy's Corner intermission segment on CSN Philly - Photo courtesy of The700level.com)
Ian Laperriere Named Number 7 Tough Guy of the Week
(from FOXSports.com's NHL Tough Guy Tracker - Week 12, 12/23/09)
An NHL tough guy isn't necessarily someone who goes out and beats the snot out of an opponent every night. Sure, goons like that still exist in the league, but an NHL tough guy is more than that. He is a player who will not only stand up for himself and/or his teammates, but will also play through and dish out pain or a game-changing check whenever his team needs him to do so. In the heat of the battle, sometimes players not known for their toughness get in on the action and either turn some heads or get their heads bashed in.
Each Wednesday, FOXSports.com's NHL Tough Guy Tracker spotlights those players and some of the best scraps from around the league.
Number 7: Ian Laperriere gave the Philly fanatics something to cheer about Monday night in a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. The Flyers pugilist dropped the gloves three times against the Panthers, with two of the fights coming before the game was even a period old.
Flyers 4 - Hurricanes 3 (SO)
Ian Laperriere contributed 3 hits and 1 blocked shot in his 12:05 of ice time in the Flyers' shootout victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday, December 26, 2009 in Carolina.
Flyers 2 - Islanders 1
The Flyers extended their win streak to three games as they defeated the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Sunday, December 27, 2009. Ian Laperriere was credited with 2 blocked shots in the victory.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates up ice against the New York Islanders on December 27, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers waits for play to resume against the New York Islanders on December 27, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Flyers 6 - Rangers 0
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Ian Laperriere earned his sixth assist of the season on Blair Betts' first period goal. He also added 2 shots on goal, 1 hit and 1 takeaway as the Flyers shut-out the Rangers on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Madison Square Garden.
Philadelphia Flyers Blair Betts, Dan Carcillo and Ian Laperriere celebrate a goal scored by Betts in the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 30, 2009. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Flyers Have Warm Memories of Playing Outdoors
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 12/31/09)
It wasn't even a mile away from his house, but Ian Laperriere was forbidden to go there alone.
Laperriere, just 8 years old at the time, was fearless. Every day after school, he begged to head to the local park - where the city of Montreal kept one of its 168 outdoor rinks - to skate with teenagers more than double his size and age.
"I couldn't let him go alone," said Francine Laperriere, Ian's mother, on the phone from Montreal. "He was too young. But he loved to play. I would ring his cousins on the phone for them to take him..."
Laperriere, Flyers Have Been a Perfect Fit
(from NHL.com - 12/31/09)
When teams sign free agents or make trades, hockey skills are an important consideration, but not the only one. NHL general managers also have to consider what kind of impact that player's personality will have on the team.
Sometimes, you want a player who brings a no-nonsense approach. Other times, you may want someone who is good at lifting the mood. If you want both, it usually takes two players. Sometimes, you need to add offense. Other times, defense. That also often requires two different players.
But the Flyers got all of the above last summer when they signed Ian Laperriere, 35, a 15-year veteran who previously played with St. Louis, the Rangers, Los Angeles and Colorado...