Ian Laperriere Press Box
2010 - 2011
Flyers' Laperriere Ready For New Season (NHL.com)
August 5, 2010 - "A trip to the Stanley Cup Final has left Ian Laperriere hungrier than ever to win a title. Taking a puck to the face during last spring's playoffs has left him vowing to wear a half-shield for the rest of his NHL career -- but not to quit the fighting aspect of his game..."
Lappy & Co. Take in Gettysburg (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
August 16, 2010 - "Ian Laperriere stood at the top of Little Round Top and wondered what the Civil War battle must've looked like over 145 years ago..."
FitSmart Scores a Big Goal (The Gloucester County Times)
August 31, 2010 - "Eight weeks of learning about nutrition, better eating habits and exercise routines culminated this week for a group of kids when Philadelphia Flyers right-winger Ian Laperriere joined them for their final workout..."
Lappy in TV Commercial (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
September 5, 2010 - "Oddly enough there are more than just one or two positive things that come out of blocking an NHL slap shot in the face..."
Laperriere: 'I Lied to Myself' About Symptoms (CSNPhilly.com)
September 28, 2010 - "Ian Laperriere says he played in last year's playoffs with post-concussion symptoms, but did not tell the Flyers' medical staff because he kept making excuses to himself that it was not related to his injury suffered against New Jersey..."
The Dilemma of Chasing a Stanley Cup Dream (CBCSports.ca)
September 28, 2010 - "It's the age-old question: If offered a pill that would make you a multi-millionaire, but kill you in 10 years - would you take it? For me, the answer is no. But, there are other, similar, scenarios where my answer would be yes. Like Ian Laperriere's..."
Laperriere Admits He Probably Came Back Too Soon (NHL.com)
September 28, 2010 - "Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere was too proud a hockey player to admit he might have returned to the game a little too early after taking a slap shot to the face in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring..."
Lappy Talks Candidly About Concussion (Flyer Files - CourierPostOnline.com)
September 29, 2010 - "...I always looked for something to explain my symptoms. But they didn't get any better in the summer, and it comes down to the real problem is probably coming from my head..."
Nerve Damage May Force Flyers' Laperriere to Retire (Courier-Post)
October 6, 2010 - "Flyers' Ian Laperriere has been told by two doctors that he should end his 15-year NHL career because of post-concussion symptoms and nerve damge, the Courier-Post has learned..."
Courier-Post Q&A With Laperriere (Flyer Files - CourierPostOnline.com)
October 6, 2010 - "...Hey, if this is it, I had a hell of a run. What do you want me to do? I played a long time, I played a lot of games and I met a lot of nice people..."
Flyers Facing Uncertainty About Laperriere (Philadelphia Daily News)
October 7, 2010 - "Amid all of the speculation surrounding Ian Laperriere yesterday, that his career might be in jeopardy after visiting a head-trauma specialist in Pittsburgh last Friday, the veteran had a clear message..."
Tough Times for a Tough Guy (Globe and Mail)
October 7, 2010 - "The Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperriere is one of the more engaging folk in the NHL, funny, warm, and all energy on the ice, where he is roughly as hard as a post-doctoral math exam. But after 16 seasons in the show, it looks like it's the end of the road for the nearly toothless guy from Montreal..."
Laperriere's Career Is Over (Courier-Post)
October 7, 2010 - "The Flyers will open their regular season tonight in Pittsburgh burdened by the news that Ian Laperriere's 15-year career is over..."
Hit in Face by Puck, Playing It Safe for Now (New York Times)
October 12, 2010 - "Ian Laperriere, the pugnacious 36-year-old forward for the Philadelphia Flyers, said this week that he would not play again until he felt better. Considering that Laperriere is the type of player who has often used his face to block slap shots, that is a big sacrifice..."
For the Love of Ian Laperriere (FlyersFaithful.com)
Ocotber 26, 2010 - "Karen Ellis is the ultimate Ian Laperriere fan. She has been following him since his days in Los Angeles and has traveled to locations such as Colorado, Philadelphia, and Boston (Winter Classic) to see him play. Karen runs the site It's All About Lappy which, as you might guess, is all about Laperriere..."
Flyers' Laperriere Sees Improvements in Recovery (CSNPhilly.com)
October 28, 2010 - "When Ian Laperriere announced a day before the Flyers opened their season in Pittsburgh that he might be forced into retirement because of post-concussion syndrome, you knew he'd fight it. The Flyers scrappy forward is not giving up hope to play again and it now appears he may have reason to be optimistic..."
Laperriere Not Close to Returning (NHL.com)
October 30, 2010 - "Ian Laperriere, who was at Staples Center on Saturday night as part of a pregame ceremony to honor Mattias Norstrom, said he's still not feeling close to 100 percent after experiencing post-concussion symptoms in training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers..."
Even With His Career In Jeopardy, Ian Laperriere's Priorities Are Right On The Mark (TheHockeyWriters.com)
November 1, 2010 - "...Although the night, even for Laperriere, was supposed to be focused on Norstrom, at least for a few minutes, the concern was for Laperriere's health and well-being, not to mention his future..."
Injured Laperriere Dealing With Career Uncertainty (Philadelphia Daily News)
December 21, 2010 - "On Saturday, Ian Laperriere sat in a club box at the Wells Fargo Center doing something he hasn't been able to do much in his 16-year NHL career - take in a game with his wife and two kids..."
Kings - Flyers Preview with Ian Laperriere (MayorsManor.com)
December 30, 2010 - "The best players in the National Hockey League usually have nicknames that everybody knows. And Lappy is no different. Around the league Ian Laperriere is universally loved and admired. He was called the toughest guys in hockey by The Hockey News last year and he's been a fan favorite everywhere he's played..."
Ian Laperriere Is Still A Presence For Flyers (Philadelphia Sports Daily)
February 13, 2011 - "At the Flyers' practice facility in Voorhees, N.J., each player has a dedicated stall in the locker room - a place to sit, a place to put his equipment. Just like every NHL locker room. One glance around the Flyers' room reveals all the usual suspects - the goalies on one side, captain Mike Richards and Jeff Carter along the far wall and the defensemen along the other. But among them is a locker dedicated to a player who hasn't played in one game this regular season: Ian Laperriere."
Laperriere's Advice: Don't Return Too Quickly (Courier-Post)
February 13, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere has two words of advice for Sidney Crosby and the thousands of other hockey players who have their 'bell rung' each year: Be honest..."
«Si on ôte les bagarres, on va perdre une partie des fans» (CKAC Sports)
("If you take away the fights, we'll lose some fans" - Laperriere)
February 17, 2011 - "Commotions, coups salauds et bagarres font beaucoup jaser dans la Ligue nationale de hockey. CKAC Sports en a discuté avec un joueur de réputation très physique : Ian Laperrière, des Flyers de Philadelphie..." (Includes link to translation)
«Arrêtez de parler du manque de respect entre les joueurs» (CKAC Sports)
("Stop talking about the lack of respect between players" - Laperriere)
March 22, 2011 - "Avec la flambée des coups à la tête et alors que l'on souligne de plus en plus le manque de respect entre les joueurs de la LNH, le vétéran Ian Laperrière avait un autre son de cloche pour les auditeurs de CKAC Sports, mardi matin..." (Includes link to translation)
Laperriere Still Helping Flyers (phillyBurbs.com)
March 27, 2011 - "It's a time like this when the Flyers feel the absence of Ian Laperriere the most. For the better part of a month, Philadelphia has been playing what might be called uninspired hockey - competing just enough to hold onto its leads in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division standings..."
Solutions to NHL's Concussion Epidemic (The Hockey News)
April 1, 2011 - "There are few NHLers tougher than Ian Laperriere. In fact, The Hockey News named the Flyers right winger the league's toughest player last season. He blocked a slapshot with his face. Repeat: He blocked a slapshot with his face..."
Master Laperriere (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
April 6, 2011 - "Dedication, Sportsmanship and Perseverance. One man on the Philadelphia Flyers greatly excels in each of these categories, without even stepping on the ice for the 2010-11 season..."
Flyers' Laperriere Nominated for Masterton Trophy (CSNPhilly.com)
April 6, 2011 - "The thought has likely occurred to Flyer fans over and over again, as this team limps toward the finish line of the regular season, looking like a shell of its former self. 'If only Ian Laperriere were around...' "
Laperriere Nominated for Masterton Trophy (phillyBurbs.com)
April 7, 2011 - "Candidates for the annual Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy are usually hockey players who persevere through some form of adversity and return to resume their normal careers. But when it came time to select a nominee from the Flyers for this year's award, members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association made a special exception..."
Q&A: Injured Flyers Forward Ian Laperriere (CBC Sports)
April 13, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers is out of action as a result of a taking a slapshot to the face in the 2010 post-season. He returned after being out for 32 days, but he has not played a game this season. Laperriere was interviewed by Teddy Katz of CBC Sports..."
Laperriere Knows He Has A Lot To Be Thankful For (NHL.com)
April 22, 2011 - "There's a bit of irony in that the one-year anniversary of the worst day of Ian Laperriere's professional life falls on Good Friday. One year ago today, Laperriere was doing the normal dirty work he excelled at during 17 NHL seasons when something horrifically abnormal happened..."
Lappy A Masterton Finalist (In The Room with Anthony SanFilippo)
April 26, 2011 - "If there was ever a deserving candidate for the Masterton Award playing in Philadelphia, it has to be Ian Laperriere..."
Laperriere a Finalist (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
April 26, 2011 - "Goaltender Ray Emery of the Anaheim Ducks, forward Daymond Langkow of the Calgary Flames and forward Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers are the three finalists for the 2010-11 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded 'to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,' the National Hockey League announced today..."
"Lappy" Talks Masterton Award; Fans of Philly (NHL.com)
April 26, 2011 - "Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere is reminded almost every day of the sacrifices he's made as a professional hockey player -- and he couldn't be happier..."
Citizen Lappy (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
May 22, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere has certainly seen his share of the United States in his professional career. The 37-year-old has played in St. Louis, New York, Los Angeles, Colorado and Philadelphia. He's even made stops in Peoria, Ill. and Worcester, Mass. during a brief American Hockey League stint. So Laperriere figured it was time..."
Star Investigation: What Really Killed NHL's Bill Masterton (Toronto Star)
May 28, 2011 - "It's the most gruesome distinction in hockey: Only one player has ever died from injuries directly suffered in an NHL game. When Bill Masterton's limp body collapsed to the ice on Jan. 15, 1968, the Minnesota North Stars centre appeared to be the victim of an innocuous hit. Thirty hours later, he was dead in hospital. Today his story is nearly forgotten, but for an annual NHL award that bears his name..."
Good Luck Lappy (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
June 21, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere has been waiting. Waiting for nearly two months. Well the waiting is down to its final hours and the Lappy family has finally landed in Las Vegas for the NHL Awards Show..."
Masterton nomination a 'great compliment' for Flyers' Laperriere (Philadelphia Daily News)
June 21, 2011 - "In October, when hockey becomes a blip on the Philadelphia sports radar again, the Flyers will see a familiar name on their Opening Night roster: Ian Laperriere. But it's highly unlikely that Laperriere will be on the ice in uniform..."
Flyers' Laperriere a Masterton Trophy Finalist (CSNPhilly.com)
June 21, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere can hardly contain his excitement. Three times during his 16-year NHL career, the Flyers forward has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey..."
Laperriere, Other Players React to NHL Rule Changes (CSNPhilly.com)
June 21, 2011 - "All the NHL had to do to gain greater clarity in determining head shots was eliminate two words - lateral and blindside. The league's Board of Governors did just that on Tuesday in New York, now making any hit to the head illegal, regardless of how it was delivered or from what direction it came. Several NHL players here at the Palms supported the new language, while Flyers forward Ian Laperriere questioned whether the league is slowly eroding the physical essence of the game..."
Laperriere Against Head Shot Rule Changes (Frequent Flyers - Philly.com)
June 22, 2011 - "On Tuesday, the NHL's Board of Governors voted to tweak the wording to two different rules with regard to dangerous hits and head shots. But if it were up to Flyers forward Ian Laperriere, the NHL would slow their approach in order to try and curb hits to the head and ultimately concussions. And that's saying something to come from someone who missed the entirety of last season with post-concussion symptoms..."
Trio of NHLers Head Montreal Juniors' Ownership (CBC Sports)
June 22, 2011 - "NHL players Danny Briere, Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ian Laperriere were unveiled Wednesday as part of a new ownership group for the Montreal Juniors. The trio join former NHL defenceman Joel Bouchard, who will serve as president and governor for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team..."
Laperriere Goes on After Frightening Concussion (Associated Press)
June 22, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere was dazed, his blood squirting all over the ice. On all fours, a towel pressed to his face, Laperriere begged the Philadelphia Flyers trainer for some good news. 'Is my eyeball still there, Jimmy? Do I still have my eye?' he asked trainer Jim McCrossin..."
With all due respect, it's time to root for Lappy (Chuck Gormley's Flyer Files)
June 22, 2011 - "As sports writers we all take an unspoken oath to be fair, objective and without rooting interests. Tonight will be different. I am not ashamed or embarrassed to say I will be rooting for Ian Laperriere to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy..."
Laperriere's Commitment Is Rewarded (Courier-Post)
June 22, 2011 - "His nose, broken more times than a prizefighter's, has been surgically repaired. His teeth, chipped and shattered by pucks traveling in excess of 100 mph, have been replaced with pearly white implants. The facial scars from Ian Laperriere's hard-fought, 15-year NHL career are beginning to fade, but his courage, perseverance and dedication to the game was recognized Wednesday night when he became just the third Flyer to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Award..."
One Happy Lappy! (Chuck Gormley's Flyer Files)
June 22, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere can now walk in the footsteps of Flyers legends Bobby Clarke and Tim Kerr. Considered one of the most dedicated and likeable players in the NHL, Laperriere became just the third Flyer to win the Bill Masterton Trophy tonight at the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas..."
Laperriere Wins Masterton Memorial Trophy (CSNPhilly.com)
June 22, 2011 - "They were showing a video clip of Ian Laperriere blocking Paul Martin's shot against the Devils in the 2010 playoffs. It's a shot that even Lappy would tell has pretty much ended his career because of post-concussion syndrome. 'No bitterness - that's the way I play,' Laperriere said after winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy..."
Flyers' Laperriere Wins Masterton Trophy (Philadelphia Daily News)
June 23, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere's walk, from seat to stage at the Pearl Theater, was a long one. But the images, replayed during the introduction of the finalists, remained just as gruesome for the crowd at the NHL Awards in the Las Vegas Palms Casino and Resort as they did on April 22, 2010, when Laperriere stopped a frozen chunk of vulcanized rubber with his face..."
Laperriere Receives Trophy For His Tenacity (Delaware County Daily Times)
June 23, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere didn't play a game in the 2010-11 season and yet was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy Wednesday at the annual NHL Awards held in Las Vegas Wednesday. That alone should speak volumes about Laperriere the person - a person who was recognized for a major seasonal award without ever lacing up his skates..."
Meltzer's Musings: 6/23/11 (hockeybuzz.com)
June 23, 2011 - "Congratulations to Ian Laperriere for winning the Masterton Trophy. I can think of no person who better exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey than the 37-year-old veteran of 1,083 regular season games and 67 playoff games. He is universally respected around the hockey world for his work ethic, fierce competitiveness on the ice and for being one of the sport's true good guys off the ice..."
«On va changer la philosophie» - Laperrière (CKAC Sports)
("It will change the philosophy" - Laperriere)
June 23, 2011 - "Toujours un peu sous le choc d'avoir remporté le trophée Bill Masterton mercredi soir à Las Vegas, deux autres surprises attendaient Ian Laperrière en fin d'après-midi jeudi lorsque son directeur général, Paul Holmgren, a échangé deux de ses coéquipiers..." (Includes link to translation)
Flyers Ian Laperriere on Mike Richards vs. Chris Pronger (MayorsManor.com)
June 27, 2011 - "Certain things in hockey are just the way they are. For example, if Bob McKenzie says it's true, it pretty much is. If Marcel Dionne shares what a player needs to do to become a more prolific scorer - and Marcel will tell you more than that! - it must be fact. And if Ian Laperriere gives you a thumbs up or thumbs down on a guy he's played with, you can take it the bank..."
More From Laperriere - Talking Luc, Health, Life After Hockey (MayorsManor.com)
June 29, 2011 - "A few days ago Ian Laperriere joined us to talk about the Mike Richards trade... Because everybody loves Lappy, he's back today for more. This time around we cover his health, winning the Masterton Trophy at last week's NHL Awards and his plans for life after hockey..."
Flyers' Laperriere Prepares For Biggest Test (Courier-Post)
July 8, 2011 - "...On Tuesday, Laperriere and his wife, Magali, who are having a house built in Haddonfield, will be fingerprinted, and sometime before the end of the summer they hope to pass the test that will grant them U.S. citizenship. 'We've talked about it and now it's time to do it,' he said..."
Laperriere Beginning To Show Coaching Abilities (Philadelphia Sports Daily)
July 13, 2011 - "Sean Couturier sat in his locker stall holding a copy of the book Talent Is Overrated, looking curiously at the cover in a rare private moment as media surrounded his roommate Brayden Schenn. The book was a gift. Every one of the prospects got one courtesy of their leader for the past week, Ian Laperriere..."
Lappy Keeps Going... (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
July 16, 2011 - "Throughout any career there are going to be bumps in the road, but for Ian Laperriere, those bumps happened to be on his face. Over a year after getting hit in the face with a puck, Laperriere is still recovering from damage to his eye, which doesn't seem to be slowing him down..."
Grand Lappy (Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers)
July 21, 2011 - "Ian Laperriere is having one heck of a summer... Last Saturday night, Lappy was once again the face of the organization that he's come to care so much about by being the Grand Marshal in Ocean City's annual Night in Venice boat parade..."