Ian Laperriere News and Photos
Eastern Conference Finals
Laperriere Skating, But No Closer to a Return
(from CSNPhilly.com - 5/15/10)
Lappy on the ice at practice, May 15, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Sam Moore)
Flyers forward Ian Laperriere skated with goalie coach Jeff Reese on Saturday at Skate Zone ... but don't get too caught up thinking he's ready to return to the ice...
Lappy on Ice
Excerpt from "Pregame Notes: Flyers Must Distract Halak"
(from CSNPhilly.com - 5/16/10)
Ian Laperriere participated in Sunday's pregame skate but, he said, still doesn't know when he'll be cleared to play.
It felt good," said Laperriere, who wore an oversized, reinforced helmet and a yellow jersey during the skate. "I feel fine."
This is the second consecutive day the Flyers' winger, who suffered a concussion and brain contusion in Game 5 against New Jersey, has skated with members of the organization. On Saturday, he joined the "Black Aces" on the ice at Skate Zone.
"What I know is, I've been cleared to skate, and I'm doing it," he said. "I'm doing everything - just in case I get cleared to play - to be ready."
Laperriere expects to undergo another MRI in the coming days or weeks to determine whether the bruising on his brain has healed. But he has no idea whether he'll be able to return for this Eastern Conference Final series against the Canadiens or, if the Flyers were to make it, to the Stanley Cup Final.
"Nobody knows," he said. "It's a tough subject. Nobody knows, nobody wants to give a timeline. It's the brain - it's not like a knee, they don't want to miss that one."
Laperriere Back on Ice, But Return Remains Doubtful
(from NHL.com - 5/16/10)
Flyers forward Ian Laperriere might be sidelined for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that doesn't mean he won't have a profound impact on his teammates.
Laperriere, who has been out since being diagnosed with a brain contusion after taking a shot above his right eye in the late stages of Game 5 of the first-round series against the New Jersey Devils, skated with the team for the second-straight day Sunday. He wore a yellow jersey and is restricted from any contact...
Injured Laperriere Skates with the Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette talks about the status of injured forward Ian Laperriere. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
Post Morning-Skate Interviews
Injured Flyers F Ian Laperriere is excited to get back on ice on his road to a long recovery from a brain contusion. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
Injured Flyers F Ian Laperriere discusses next steps in his road to recovery from brain contusion. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
"Jack Bauer wears Ian Laperriere Underoos."
(@georgeward via Twitter - April 23, 2010)
"The one guy that Jack Bauer could never take down..."
Kiefer Sutherland and Ian Laperriere from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, May 16, 2010. (Courtesy of @NHLFlyers)
NBC 10's John Clark inviews Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers prior to his game against the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on May 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Fear the Stache
Lappy models the Dan Carcillo "Fear the Stache" t-shirt, now available at shop.nhl.com and Fan Gear at the Wachovia Center. (Photo courtesy of @NHLFlyers)
Off the Record: Ian Laperriere 1-on-1
(from TSN - 5/17/10)
Ian Laperriere has been cleared for contact and talks with host Michael Landsberg about the possibility of returning to the line up.
Watch the video here (Courtesy of TSN.ca)
Source: Laperriere's Possible Return Pushed Back
(from CSNPhilly.com - 5/18/10)
Ian Laperriere's new helmet and shield - May 15, 2010. (from CSNPhilly.com)
Ian Laperriere was hoping to be back on the ice when the Flyers travel to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday.
Game 4 was the target date for Laperriere, according to one source.
After some talks within the organization on Tuesday, however, the timetable for both Laperriere and Jeff Carter (fractured right foot) has been moved back...
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Laperriere Could Return Sooner Than Expected
(from NHL.com - 5/17/10)
Laperriere Holds Out Hope For Return
(from the Courier-Post - 5/17/10)
Laperriere Cleared to Resume Skating for Flyers
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 5/18/10)
Phil Sheridan: Flyers' Laperriere Looking for 'Little Miracle'
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer- 5/18/10)
Flyers' Laperriere Anticipating Return
(from SLAM! Sports - 5/18/10)
Flyers Practice in Montreal
Ian Laperriere wore a full face shield during Flyers practice at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, May 21, 2010.
(Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
(Ed Hille/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
(Ed Hille/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
The Pursuit of Lappyness: Laperriere Ready For Game 4
(from Sam Carchidi's Broad Street Bull Blog - 5/21/10)
MONTREAL - Ian Laperriere, the Flyers' gritty right winger, is expected to return to the lineup Saturday afternoon against Montreal, a club source said Friday.
Laperriere skated on a line with Blair Betts and Darroll Powe at Friday's practice. He has been sidelined since April 22, when he blocked a slap shot against New Jersey and suffered a bruised brain, a broken orbital bone and a concussion. He needed nearly 70 stitches to repair a cut above his right eye.
Jeff Carter, recovering from a broken foot, also skated at Friday's practice and scored on a wraparound goal. He looked to be regaining his form, but is still doubtful for Saturday.
"But you never know," said one club source, smiling coyly.
Laperriere, the Flyers said, has been cleared by a neurologist to play.
"He gives us a veteran presence, and he's very energetic in the locker room and on the ice," said center Danny Briere, who called Laperriere the Flyers' best penalty killer. "...And obviously he's tough to play against."
The Flyers would not allow Laperriere or Carter to talk to the media.
The Flyers have a 2-1 series lead over Montreal in the Eastern Conference finals. Saturday's game is at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. on NBC.
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Flyers' Laperriere 'Probable' For Game 4
(from CSNPhilly.com - 5/21/10)
Looks Like Flyers' Laperriere Will Play in Game 4
(from the Philadelphia Daily News - 5/22/10)
In Game 4, Flyers Can Make Bold Statement
(from the Philadelphia Inquirer - 5/22/10)
Wordless Wounded
(from the Courier-Post - 5/22/10)
Eastern Conference Finals - Game 4
Flyers 3 - Canadiens 0
The Flyers received a huge boost on Saturday, May 22, 2010, as both Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere surprisingly returned to the lineup. In his first game back since his injury in the Quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ian Laperriere was credited with 1 hit, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot in his 9:13 of ice time.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers while playing against the Montreal Canadiens on May 22, 2010 at Le Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
(Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers gets his first hit from Roman Hamrlik #44 of the Montreal Canadiens since returning to the line up after sustaining a concussion and contusion from taking a puck to the face during the first round of the playoffs against the New Jersey Devils on May 22, 2010 at Le Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
(Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Montreal. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperriere carries the puck against Montreal Canadiens during the first period of Game 4 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Saturday, May 22, 2010. (Photograph by Yong Kim, Philadelphia Daily News)
Ville Leino of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates with Ian Laperriere and Braydon Coburn after scoring a goal in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 22, 2010 in Montreal. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Montreal Canadiens center Dominic Moore and Philadelphia Flyers center Ian Laperriere collide at centre ice during second period playoff action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on May 22, 2010. (Photograph by John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette)
Linesmen Brian Murphy separates Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers and Hal Gill of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 22, 2010 in Montreal. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate after defeating the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 3-0 to win Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 22, 2010 in Montreal.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers speaks to the media after defeating the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 3-0 to win Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 22, 2010 in Montreal.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Excerpt from On The Fly! - Philadelphia Flyers Official Insider Blog - 5/22/10:
Flyers forward Ian Laperriere was reached for comment after the first period of Game 4:
"It feels great. You know what? It took a little miracle. They told me I had a chance to come back. I put a lot of effort to return to the lineup. It is a great night. [Being out] was the worst time of my career, sitting out and watching the team doing so well.
The good news is that since they were playing so well, it gave me some time to get healthy. I am so proud of the boys, and being a part of history that we are riding right now."
Flyers' players Ian Laperriere and Michael Leighton speak with the media following Philadelphia's Game 4 win. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
Practice - May 23, 2010
The Philadelphia Flyers practice Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees. The team, up 3-1 in the series, will take on the Montreal Canadiens in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals Monday.
Ian Laperriere (center) talks with Flyers teammates Scott Hartnell and captain Mike Richards during practice Sunday in Voorhees. Laperriere returned from injury in time for Saturday's Game 4 in Montreal. (Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post)
Ian Laperriere and Kimmo Timonen (Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post)
Ian Laperriere and Kimmo Timonen (Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post)
(Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post)
(Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post)
Flyers' Laperriere One for the Ages
(from Versus.com - 5/23/10)
Ian Laperriere missed a few weeks with just your ordinary, everyday brain contusion. Just a little brain bruise, that's all. It couldn't even keep Lappy out a month.
Laperriere is the type of self-depricating guy who would be the first to joke about his injury, suffered April 22 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals...
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Flyers Fueled by Return of Carter, Laperriere
(from CSNPhilly.com - 5/22/10)
Lappy's Return Frustrates Canadiens
(from NHL.com - 5/23/10)
Letters to Lappy
On Monday, May 24, 2010, Ian Laperriere was presented with his copy of "Letters To Lappy." Following his injury, the outpouring of support for Laperriere, from Flyers fans and hockey fans in general, prompted the staff of Flyers Charities to collect letters during Flyers home games.
The book includes over 500 letters, emails, and web messages, including the ones left for him here in the guest book at our website.
Read those messages here
Ian Laperriere takes every precaution while reading fans' get-well letters sent during his injury.
(Photo credit: Zack Hill, Flyers PR)
Ian Laperriere Pre-Game Presser
Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere addresses the media prior to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal, Monday, May 24, 2010. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
Laperriere Returns to Lineup with Typical Tenacity
(from NHL.com - 5/24/10)
Ian Laperriere broke into the NHL during the 1993-94 season.
Laperriere has seen a lot during that tenure, but never has played in the Stanley Cup Final. Well, after Monday night's 4-2 win by his Flyers against Montreal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the wait is over for the gritty veteran...
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The Face of the Flyers
(from the Toronto Sun - 5/24/10)
That Macho Thing
(from the National Post - 5/24/10)
Eastern Conference Finals - Game 5
Flyers 4 - Canadiens 2
In his second game back from injury, Ian Laperriere added 2 blocked shots in his 9:10 of ice time, as the Flyers defeated the Canadiens and advanced to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals on Monday, May 24, 2010 in front of their home crowd at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
NHL.com's Shift of the Game:
A dozen games ago, Flyers forward Ian Laperriere threw himself to the ice to block a shot by Devils defenseman Paul Martin and received a brain contusion and close to 70 stitches for his efforts. Monday night, in just his second game back from that career-threatening injury, Laperriere threw himself to the ice in a similar manner to block a shot from Canadiens defenseman PK Subban early in the second period. Less than a minute later, Aaron Asham scored a goal to give the Flyers their first lead at 2-1.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers handles the puck against Jared Ross #42 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 24, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers blocks his first shot of the night which resulted in a huge applause from the crowd on May 24, 2010 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
The Philadelphia Flyers bench erupts in celebration after Jeff Carter scores an empty net goal in the closing seconds of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens, Monday, May 24, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Ian Laperriere #14, Claude Giroux #28, Danny Briere #48, Kimmo Timonen #44 and Ville Leino #22 after an empty net goal in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 24, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Flyers from left to right Danny Briere, Arron Asham, Ian Laperriere and Jeff Carter, facing camera, celebrate their 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Eastern Conference finals, Monday, May 24, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Philadelphia Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. (Steven M. Falk/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
Mathieu Darche #52 of the Montreal Canadiens gets a hug from Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers on May 24, 2010 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers shakes hands with Kirk Muller assistant coach of the Montreal Canadiens on May 24, 2010 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
Ian Laperriere, right, celebrates with Claude Giroux. "You don't have too many chances to win a Cup," Laperriere said. (Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer)
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Ian Laperriere is surrounded by reporters in the team locker room following the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadians to win the NHL Eastern Conference finals at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia May 24, 2010. (UPI/John Anderson)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers speaks to the media after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on May 24, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers will move on to play in the Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the post-game interviews held in the locker room on May 24, 2010 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Bob Fina/Inside Hockey)
Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere talks to the media after a 4-2 series clinching win vs. Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final. (Courtesy of NHL.com)
Use Your Face and Fanny
Excerpt from "Carter, Laperriere Return to Bury Habs"
(from CBC Sports - 5/25/10)
The last time we saw Ian Laperriere block a shot on a penalty kill in spectacular fashion was Game 5 of the New Jersey series.
He used his face and got a concussion and brain contusion out of it that could have killed him.
On Monday night, during a four-minute Flyer penalty kill, Laperriere used his fanny to block a shot then drew a tripping call from Scott Gomez to wipeout the second half of the Habs' power play in the third period.
That was the game right there for Montreal, which was trailing 3-2.
"I was happy it hit me otherwise it might have been in," Laperriere said. "It was a crucial time of the game. It's part of my job."
Laperriere has never been to a Cup final.
"Feels great, I told a couple of the young guys before the game it took me 15 years to get were we are going," Laperriere said. "I mean it's a great feeling, I'm feeling great. I can't imagine wearing the big one [and] how great it's going to feel."
And to think the Flyers never would have gotten this far were it not for a shootout in Game 82 against the Rangers.
"Yeah, it is special," Laperriere said. "Especially since the way we came in. We believe in our team, you know we touched rock bottom during the year and it wasn't fun around here. Sometimes when you do that it makes your team stronger and obviously it did."