Ian Laperriere Quote Book
2003 - 2004 and Earlier
Quotes About Lappy
"Ian Laperriere was a splendid acquisition. The older Rangers will focus his astounding energy while also feeding off his enthusiasm. The stew always tastes better when a little pepper is added."
Frank Brown, NY Daily News Sportswriter - January 7, 1996
"He's nonstop. The French guys don't understand him. The English guys don't understand him, but it doesn't deter him one bit. He's a hard-working kid and he's going to play a long time in this league because his work ethic is such."
Former teammate Ray Ferraro - January 4, 1997 - LA Daily News
"He's not the biggest guy on the ice, but he plays with the biggest heart out there."
Larry Robinson, Former LA Kings Head Coach - Game Night Magazine - 1997-98 Season
"You can't measure Ian Laperriere's heart on a stat sheet..."
Matt McHale, Daily News Staff Writer - October 31, 1999
"Ian Laperriere is the Fireplug. He always has worn his heart the way fashion hipsters have taken to wearing their pajama bottoms: outside, in plain view of everybody, with no hint of self-consciousness."
Karen Crouse, Daily News Staff Writer - April 18, 2001
"He's as feisty as anyone in the league and what he's accomplished with the style that he plays is pretty neat."
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes - Honor and Courage - Tough Guys of the NHL DVD
"He's just so easy to pick on and he's one of those really easy targets. You just know he takes everything seriously."
Luc Robitaille, LA Kings Teammate - Honor and Courage - Tough Guys of the NHL DVD
"The first thing I answer when I'm asked about Ian Laperriere is the fact that I talk about him as a person...When you get a chance to talk to him, when you get a chance to talk to his teammates and opponents, you realize just the quality that Ian Laperriere brings – his character – his honesty – his integrity. Those words maybe don't necessarily fit in or are associated with tough guys, but with Ian Laperriere, he's a good person, and that's where you have to start."
Jim Fox, LA Kings Commentator - Honor and Courage - Tough Guys of the NHL DVD
"He's the kind of player you love to have on your team but you hate to play against."
"He's not afraid to challenge the best players on the other team, and be as good as he can be on a nightly basis by getting in their face – letting them know if you're going to play against me tonight, and you're expecting to have any type of success, there's going to be a price that you have to pay."
"If somebody challenges one of our skilled players or does something that's not within the limits of the game, then Ian will step up and answer for our team."
"He's a guy that really cares - that's the most important thing. I always tell my son and my kids that it's always better to be known as a good person than a good hockey player, and the best thing about Ian Laperriere is he's a good person."
Andy Murray, Former LA Kings Head Coach - Honor and Courage - Tough Guys of the NHL DVD
"I can't really go into detail about any one player, but if I had to choose one player who I seem to spend the most time with, it would be Ian Laperriere. He seems to attract the puck to his face like a magnet, especially around his nose."
Kings Trainer Pete Demers, when asked who'd gotten the most stitches and then returned to a game - Ask A King, 2003-2004
"Q: Was there a particular Kings player that took you under his wing and really helped you with the transition to the NHL?
A: Ian Laperriere. He was like my big brother. He would pull me aside and tell me something I was doing wrong on ice, and more importantly pull me aside if I was having a tough time off the ice or if something was bothering me. He was always there to help me. He was a VERY big help."
LA Kings 2003-04 Rookie Dustin Brown - June 2004 - Hockey's Future
"Ian Laperriere is the heart and soul of this organization...When you look sometimes into what makes a team tick, he's the guy that makes this organization tick..."
"Nobody loves the game as much as he does...Everyday he's the first one at practice, the first one at every game. He just loves the game...he will leave everything on the ice every single night, and that's what makes him such a special player."
Luc Robitaille - 2004 - Kings All Access
"He was such a joy to coach...He never took a shift off and he had great heart and passion. I will miss him very much."
Andy Murray, Former LA Kings Head Coach - July 2, 2004 - Daily News