Ian Laperriere News and Photos
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Courier-Post Exclusive: Laperriere May Need Surgery
(from Chuck Gormley's Flyer Files - 4/23/10)
Just got off the phone with Paul Holmgren and he's awaiting word on whether veteran right wing Ian Laperriere will need surgery to repair the damage done to his right eye last night.
"There's a chance he'll need to have something done," Holmgren told me.
Laperriere blocked a shot by Paul Martin early in the third period and there is a possible fracture of his orbital bone, above his right eye. If there is a break in the orbital bone, Laperriere could need to have a plate inserted to provide stability.
Laperriere needed between 60 and 70 stitches to close the cut he sustained above his right eyebrow. He has vowed to wear a shield when he returns and for the remainder of his career.
Later Update: News on Laperriere Will Wait Until Saturday
Any injury news on Ian Laperriere will need to wait until Saturday when swelling around his eye subsides.
Per Paul Holmgren...
"Jeff and Simon's surgeries went very well. Their recovery time has not changed. Ian Laperriere will be evaluated again tomorrow, once the swelling around the affected area goes down, the doctors will have a better idea of his status."
Lappy Won't Need Surgery, Will Play in Round 2
(from Sam Carchidi's Broad Street Bull Blog - 4/24/10)
Ian Laperriere will not need surgery and will play in Round 2, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced on Saturday.
The winger needed 60 to 70 stitches above his right eye when hit by a shot Thursday in New Jersey.
According to Holmgren, Laperriere suffered a non-displaced fracture of the orbital bone that won't require surgery.
"I think hell would freeze over before he doesn't play," Holmgren said.
Laperriere "looks a lot better today than yesterday – other than it being very colorful," Holmgren said.
Laperriere did not practice Saturday; he will be re-evaluated on Monday.
Broken Bone Won't Keep Flyers' Laperriere Out
(from the Delaware County Daily Times - 4/24/10)
Ian Laperriere confirmed Saturday that he has a fractured orbital bone above his right eye.
He also confirmed he will not have surgery to repair the injury.
As such, Laperriere plans on playing in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against an opponent still to be determined...
Ian Laperriere Injury Update
John Boruk reports on Laperriere's eye injury (Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com - 4/24/10)
History Will Be Made - Ian Laperriere
NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Commercial Spoof Courtesy of FilthMasterFlex
Puck to the Face Won't Stop Laperriere
(from the Bucks County Courier Times - 4/25/10)
...Laperriere drew a few laughs in response to a question about his reaction to the praise he received from all this teammates.
"It makes me feel good but I would skip that to have my face back," he said, grinning. "My teammates respecting me means the world to me. That's all that really matters to me. It's the ultimate compliment..."
Congratulations!!
Ian Laperriere was crowned winner of The Hockey News' "John Ferguson Award"
(from THN.com's Playoff Blog - 4/26/10)
As we announced Friday on The Hockey News Radio Show, Flyers winger Ian Laperriere - who is to puck-blocking as Pac-Man is to Pac-Dots - was voted by a panel of NHL experts and media as this year's winner of THN's John Ferguson Award.
The Ferguson Award, which is part of our annual Awards Issue (on newsstands this week), honors the league's toughest player.
Laperriere Likely Lost for the Season
(from the Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers - 4/27/10)
In his short time with the organization, it's already become painfully apparent that almost nothing will keep Flyers forward Ian Laperriere off of the ice.
On Tuesday, the man voted by The Hockey News as the toughest player in the NHL, finally met his match. A brain contusion, as well as a mild concussion, has likely ended Laperriere's season announced general manager Paul Holmgren via conference call...
More Articles
Panaccio: Laperriere Makes Peace With Injuries
(from CSNPhilly.com - 4/27/10)
Flyers' Laperriere Out Indefinitely
(from NHL.com - 4/27/10)
Flyers' Laperriere Likely Done For Season With Brain Contusion
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 4/28/10)
Paul Holmgren had said it would take hell freezing over for Ian Laperriere to miss the Flyers' next round in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
In a matter of seconds last Thursday night, Laperriere's life flashed before his eyes at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Now, the remainder of his first season as a Flyer may have frozen over...
Ian Laperriere on Sportsradio 610 WIP
Ian talks to hosts Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano about losing the rest of his season due to injury and looking forward to Round 2 on Tuesday, April 28, 2010.
Lappy Addresses the Media
Ian Laperriere talks about his season-ending brain injury on April 28, 2010 at the Skate Zone. (Courtesy of Flyers TV)
Watch the video here
Matt Carle: Laperriere is Huge Loss
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 4/28/10)
Flyers defenseman Matt Carle will blog regularly, and exclusively, for the Daily News during the NHL playoffs.
Here is Carle's second blog:
Ian came into the locker room before he went to Pittsburgh yesterday and told us what was going on with his injury. He said he was getting a second opinion, so we were all keeping our fingers crossed. I found on out NHL.com last night and saw that he was done for the season.
It's tough. When you watch him play, you think he's made of steel. You think he can play through anything. But when you start messing with your brain and your eyes and that area, you want to be pretty careful and take every precaution.
It's tough to see that happen. Any time you have a guy that has played 1,000 games, it's huge to have him on your team. He brings a lot to our team. He has this calmness on the bench, I think he helps [Dan] Carcillo in that area - and a lot of guys. He's a smart player that knows when to be physical and when to lay off.
He's a huge player that we've lost.
Laperriere a Tough Loss for Flyers' Penalty Kill
(from CSNPhilly.com - 4/28/10)
...Truth is, Laperriere is one of the handful of guys in the National Hockey League whose courage and skill set on the PK unit is difficult to find.
That makes Laperriere - "Lappy," as he's been nicknamed - harder to replace than Carter. Why? Because while Carter may not be scoring goals every game in a series, Laperriere is absolutely certain to be on the ice seven or eight times every game killing penalties.
Even more, what Laperriere brings to the team is not something you can get from a rookie or reserve player. There is no one outside of Chris Pronger on the Flyers with 16 years NHL experience to replace Laperriere...
Laperriere Gone, Flyers Must Fill Penalty-Killing Void
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 4/29/10)
You can excuse Flyers center Blair Betts if he feels as if he just lost one of his appendages.
Ian Laperriere, you see, was his right-hand man - both on the penalty kill and on their checking line...
Ian Laperriere on Sporting News Radio
Ian may be out for the playoffs, but he knows what the Flyers need to win. Listen as he joins Todd Wright on Friday, April 30, 2010.
Click here to download his interview segment
Laperriere Blocks a Shot and Wins Hearts
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 5/2/10)
The on-rushing gunner has cranked up a warp-speed slap shot and the puck, a frozen rubber bullet, is zeroed in and dead on, with nothing but ice between it and the goal. So Ian Laperriere, a right winger whose specialty is killing off penalties, follows his instincts without a second thought: He drops and offers up his body as a sacrifice...
Excerpt from Inside the Flyers: No Guts, No Glory
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 5/2/10)
Painted on the walls above the entrance to the Flyers' practice-facility locker room in Voorhees is a simple message: WE SUPPLY EVERYTHING BUT THE GUTS.
Next to the words is a Flyers logo, which, to my way of thinking, should be replaced with a mug shot of Ian Laperriere.
Laperriere, sidelined by a brain contusion and concussion suffered when he blocked a shot in Round 1 of the playoffs, wasn't in Boston on Saturday as the Flyers opened the Eastern Conference semifinals with a gut-wrenching 5-4 overtime loss to the Bruins.
At least Laperriere wasn't there in person.
His inspiration, however, was all over their effort.
Play Angry
Ian Laperriere and Riley Cote model "Play Angry" t-shirts from Angerwear.com.
Restless Laperriere Can Only Watch With Flyers Down 0-3
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 5/6/10)
Injured Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers is cheered by some fans prior to the start of the game against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on May 5, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
...Sitting on the "Daily News Live" set inside the AT & T Pavilion at the Wachovia Center, with a live, loud audience cheering "It's All About Lappy!" over and over again, Laperriere said he couldn't help but want to play...
Ian Laperriere on Daily News Live
Ian Laperriere talks about the "It's All About Lappy" shirts on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia's Daily News Live, May 5, 2010. (Clip courtesy of Flyers Charities)
Excerpt from Bruins Push Flyers to Brink of Elimination
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 5/5/10)
The energy percolated during a long stoppage after Begin's penalty. That's when the scoreboard showed a commercial that included footage of Ian Laperriere blocking a shot. The accompanying graphic read: What if Ian didn't believe in sacrifice?
Laperriere, who is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs because of a brain contusion and concussion suffered while blocking a shot in the series against New Jersey, was shown as he stood in the runway, and he waved to the crowd - "thank you" he continually mouthed - and received a thundering standing ovation.
"Lappy ... Lappy ... Lappy" was the chant, as fans were told he was named the Hockey's News' toughest guy in the league.
Watch the tribute and standing ovation here (Courtesy of Flyers TV)
More Than Laperriere's Loss Hurting Flyers
(from NHL.com - 5/6/10)
It was moving tribute to their fallen hero.
It occurred with 13:44 remaining in the second period and the Philadelphia Flyers about to go on their first power play of the game against the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal. That's when the familiar piano overture of the NHL's "History Will Be Made" campaign flashed across the center-ice scoreboard at Wachovia Center...
Flyers' Laperriere Laments Missing Out on Boston Series
(from the Delaware County Daily Times - 5/7/10)
The so-called "Toughest Man in the NHL," a name accorded to Ian Laperriere after he took a slapshot in the face in the fifth and final game against the Devils, was back and looking not so bad at the Skate Zone Thursday.
Though he's a natural locker room leader, Laperriere said he wasn't one to give any pep talks...
Laperriere Moved by Fans' Reaction to Video
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 5/7/10)
Flyers right winger Ian Laperriere called the fans' reaction to his appearance Wednesday "unreal" and said he was moved by the long standing ovation he received when he was shown on the scoreboard during a second-period stoppage.
"I still can't believe it," he said after visiting with his teammates after Thursday's practice in Voorhees. "I mean, I've been here for seven months and to show me they appreciate what I do, I don't have the words to describe it..."
Flyers Laperriere Gets In Hyperbaric Tube
(from Good Day Philadelphia - 5/12/10)
Fox 29's Jenn Frederick does a live interview with injured Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere as he sits inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
Laperriere was struck in the face during the Flyers' series with the New Jersey Devils and he is trying to get back for the Flyers' next series.
He was at a rehab facility in Newtown Square, PA.
(Courtesy of myfoxphilly.com)
Ian Laperriere and a Crazy Fan
The Flyer may have met his match when it comes to crazy. (Courtesy of ParamoreFan444)
THE FLYERS ADVANCE TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS!!
Excerpt from "Double Comeback: Flyers Rally in Game 7 to Advance"
(from NHL.com - 5/15/10)
The NHL vowed that history would be made in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On Friday night, it was...
...Not only did the Flyers become the first team in 35 years to win a best-of-7 series after losing the first three games, but they also rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to win this decisive showdown.