Ian Laperriere News and Photos
March 2009
Avalanche 2 - Islanders 4
Ian Laperriere delivered 4 hits as the Avs fell to the Islanders on Monday, March 2, 2009.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche tries to control the puck against Andrew MacDonald of the New York Islanders on March 2, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
The Isles defeated the Avalanche 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche checks Jeff Tambellini of the New York Islanders on March 2, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Jeff Tambellini of the New York Islanders on March 2, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Laperriere Awaits Fate as Trade Deadline Nears
(from the Denver Post, 3/4/09)
Ellie Rolfs, a 3-year-old girl battling cancer, has become Ian Laperriere's biggest fan. And judging by the big hug he gave her Tuesday afternoon in the Avalanche locker room, the feeling is mutual.
Little Ellie doesn't follow the minutiae associated with the NHL trading deadline, but she knows there is a chance her hero might not be with the Avs after today...
Avalanche 2 - Red Wings 3
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots, 3 hits and 1 takeaway in his 17:25 of ice time as Detroit defeated Colorado on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson reaches in to block a shot by Colorado Avalanche right winger Ian Laperriere as Red Wings goalie Ty Conklin waits during the 3rd period of the Red Wings' 3-2 victory in Denver on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche knocks Aaron Downey of the Detroit Red Wings off his skates at the Pepsi Center on March 4, 2009, in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings controls the puck as Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche defends at the Pepsi Center on March 4, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Avs Trade Leopold, Lappy Stays Put
(from CBS4 Denver, 3/4/09)
...As for forward Ian Laperriere, his name had been mentioned in trade talks in the weeks leading up to the deadline, but at the end of the day he was still an Avalanche.
That's great news for fans (and us in the media), but even more so for the veteran. Lappy had been hoping all along that he would stay in Colorado. Wednesday, he got his wish...
Lappy Flattered
(from the Denver Post, 3/7/09)
While saying he is happy to have stayed with the Avalanche, veteran right wing Ian Laperriere acknowledged feeling some pride that a few contending teams were interested in his services prior to the NHL trading deadline.
"It's flattering, I won't lie to you," he said. "I take that as a compliment. I'm 35, and they still want a guy like me around. I'll take that as a compliment. But my heart is here, and I want to stay here."
Laperriere can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and previous talks toward a contract extension with Avs management did not bear fruit. General manager Francois Giguere said the team will be interested in re-signing Laperriere, but that a deal would have to make sense for both sides.
"I told management before the deadline I wanted to stay, and they said they'd keep me around. They kept their promise, and hopefully we can find some solid ground and a contract," Laperriere said.
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
Avalanche 5 - Blackhawks 1
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Colin Fraser
Ian Laperriere also had 3 hits and 1 shot as Colorado snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday, March 8, 2009 in Chicago.
Colorado Avalanche's Ben Guite talks to Ian Laperriere after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Darcy Tucker, Ben Guite and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after Guite scored a goal in the first period against goalie Antti Niemi of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 8, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Colin Fraser and Colorado's Ian Laperriere swap punches during the second period.
(Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune)
Colin Fraser of the Chicago Blackhawks fights with Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the United Center on March 8, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Colin Fraser of the Chicago Blackhawks fights with Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the United Center on March 8, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Laperriere's Hit Named Play of the Week
Marks First Time a Hit Has Taken Home Weekly Honors
(from the Official Site of the Colorado Avalanche, 3/9/09)
Ian Laperriere's big hit on Detroit's Aaron Downey was tabbed as the Avalanche's "Play of the Week" for the Feb. 27-March 5 time period.
Laperriere's body check, which received 42.46% of the votes, was the first hit to take home Play of the Week honors this season. Also nominated were Ryan Smyth's breakaway goal against the Rangers on March 28 (36.73%) and John-Michael Liles' tally on March 4 against the Red Wings.
The play now automatically qualifies for Colorado's year-end "Play of the Year" bracket-style tournament – to be determined by Avalanche fans.
Lappy Runs Over Downey – 3/4 vs. Detroit – Courtesy of stanawart
Midway through the first period, Avalanche assistant captain Ian Laperriere threw a big hit on Detroit's Aaron Downey. While Downey had his head down looking for the puck along the side wall, Laperriere charged in and laid out a clean, hard hit.
Avalanche 0 - Thrashers 3
Ian Laperriere had 1 shot, 2 blocked shots and 1 takeaway in Colorado's shut-out loss to Atlanta on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
Avalanche 2 - Wild 1 (SO)
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots, 3 hits and 3 blocked shots in his 16:45 of ice time as the Avs came out on top over the Wild on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche checks Martin Skoula of the Minnesota Wild into the boards at the Pepsi Center on March 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Avalanche 3 - Oilers 2 (OT)
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots, 1 hit, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot in his 16:48 of ice time as Colorado defeated Edmonton in overtime on Saturday, March 14, 2009.
Sheldon Souray of the Edmonton Oilers makes a pass while Ian Laperriere and Peter Budaj watch the puck at Rexall Place on March 14, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
(Photo by Andy Devlin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Devlin/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere and Edmonton Oilers' Theo Peckham collide along the boards during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Edmonton March 14, 2009.
(REUTERS/Dan Riedlhuber)
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of Oilers TV)
Watch the video here
Laperriere Relishes Warrior Role
(from The Edmonton Journal, 3/15/09)
Ian Laperriere loves to hit, fight and occasionally score a goal. He also loves to talk and could easily slide into a broadcaster's chair when he's finished leading with his chin and by example. He has a face for radio, judging by all the scars and a nose that has often been broken...
Read the rest here
Avalanche 2 - Canucks 4
Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche battle for the puck during their game at General Motors Place on March 15, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Laperriere One of the Good Guys
(from The Edmonton Sun, 3/15/09)
Anyone who's ever had the pleasure of meeting Ian Laperriere can understand why there was so much interest in him prior to the NHL trade deadline.
The Colorado Avalanche winger is one of the league's good guys, valued as much for his contributions off the ice as he is for his play on it...
Avalanche 2 - Wild 3 (SO)
As the Avs were defeated in the shootout for only the second time this season on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, Ian Laperriere logged 16:12 of ice time and had one blocked shot.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche has some words for the Minnesota Wild bench during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on March 17, 2009 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)
Avalanche 1 - Oilers 8
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Ian Laperriere earned his eleventh assist of the season as he pitched in on Cody McLeod's goal in Colorado's loss to Edmonton on Thursday, March 19, 2009.
Fernando Pisani of the Edmonton Oilers and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche collide during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on March 19, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Oilers defeated the Avalanche 8-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 1 - Sharks 3
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots on goal and 2 hits as Colorado fell to San Jose on Sunday, March 22, 2009.
Some of our photos from the game
Laperriere A Whole Different Guy Off The Ice
(By Rick Sadowski – NHL.com Correspondent, 3/22/09)
The Colorado Avalanche dressing room was more crowded than usual following a recent practice, though not because of a surplus of media members, many of whom abandoned the struggling team weeks ago.
About a dozen current and former patients from The Children's Hospital in Denver, along with family members, strolled through the room to pose for pictures with players who happily chatted with the youngsters and signed autographs.
Not surprisingly, forward Ian Laperriere's locker was the most popular destination for the kids. A hard-nosed agitator on the ice, "Lappy" is a soft touch away from the rink, especially when it comes to children...
Avalanche 2 - Ducks 7
Ian Laperriere had 1 shot on goal, 2 hits, 3 takeaways and 4 blocked shots in his 16:47 of ice time as the Ducks defeated the Avs on Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
Colorado Avalanche right winger Ian Laperriere picks up a loose puck as Anaheim Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer comes in to cover in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche dives to block a shot against Ryan Whitney of the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center March 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Avalanche 1 - Canucks 4
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Ian Laperriere earned his twelfth assist of the season on T.J. Galiardi's first NHL goal in Colorado's loss to Vancouver on Friday, March 27, 2009.
He also had two hits and two blocked shots before his early exit from the game:
"In an odd sequence of events, Laperriere was ejected from the game and the Canucks were awarded a penalty shot midway through the second period. The Avalanche was on a penalty kill when center Ben Guite broke his stick. Guite immediately dropped the stick to the ice and Colorado continued to kill the man-advantage."
"Shortly thereafter, Laperriere used his own stick to move Guite's broken lumber out of the way. However, it was ruled that the busted stick interfered with a Vancouver pass after Laperriere had shot it toward the side boards, giving the Canucks a penalty shot. Laperriere then exchanged words with the official who made the call, and was given a 10-minute and a game misconduct."
(from the Official Site of the Colorado Avalanche, 3/28/09)
Avalanche 1 - Ducks 4
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Mike Brown
Anaheim's Mike Brown gets into a fight with Colorado's Ian Laperriere during the first period.
(Mark Martinez/The Orange County Register)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche fights with Mike Brown of the Anaheim Ducks during the game on March 29, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
(Photo by Debora Robinson/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere fights with Anaheim Ducks' Mike Brown during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
(AP Photo/Hector Mata)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche fights with Mike Brown of the Anaheim Ducks during the game on March 29, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
(Photo by Debora Robinson/Getty Images)
One of our photos from the game
Ducks Faceoffs 3-29-09: Patty Ellis, Karen Ellis, Beth Ellis and Tim Wilkinson show their support for Avalanche forward, fighter, and really nice guy, Ian Laperriere.
(Photo by Al Balderas, Orange County Register)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com