Ian Laperriere Quote Book
2008 - 2009
Quotes About Lappy
"Laperriere...the man knows how to hockey fight. There's just no getting around it."
Peter McNab - October 12, 2008 - Altitude Sports
"Look at him talking...you wouldn't expect anything else, would you? He's just yapping away..."
Peter McNab - October 12, 2008 - Altitude Sports
"Ian Laperriere – one of the fan favorites for the Avs. Anyone who meets him really likes Ian Laperriere."
Mike Haynes - October 12, 2008 - Altitude Sports
"Funniest Player Encountered: Probably Ian Laperriere. He's just really talkative, easy to talk to and he's always engaging... a lot of fun."
Former teammate Jeff Finger in "Getting to Know Jeff Finger" - November 7, 2008 - TheHockeyNews.com
"What a warrior this guy has been his whole career...what an honest player... He does all the hard things out there. He does all the things that people don't want to do, including fighting a lot of heavyweights, which he normally isn't. But if he has to stand up for a teammate, he's the first guy there."
Charlie Simmer - November 18, 2008 - Avs vs. Flames Broadcast
"Laperriere brings an infectious enthusiasm for the task at hand, no matter how dirty the job."
Mark Kiszla - November 20, 2008 - Denver Post
"(Ian Laperriere is) such a scrappy, feisty player. If you're a fan in the stands, your eyes always gravitate towards him."
Joe Beninati - December 1, 2008 - Avs vs. Wild Broadcast on Versus
"This is the ultimate guy you want on your hockey club. This is a team man. This is a guy that every player in the NHL says 'Yes, if he put my jersey on, I'd be a little more comfortable out there.' Plus, not only that, if you get to talk to him, he's a neat human being."
Terry Crisp - December 4, 2008 - Avs vs. Predators Broadcast
"It's pretty hard if you're a young guy and you see Ian Laperriere mucking in the corner, fighting the tough guys, blood coming down from his face and not complaining about it, and he comes to work with a smile... It would be pretty embarrassing if you're a young guy and you're watching him play, to look yourself in the mirror and say 'Hey, I'm not doing the same things.' "
Predators' Head Coach Barry Trotz - December 4, 2008 - Avs vs. Predators Broadcast
"Yes, we love the goal scorers. Yes, we love the big saves by our goal tenders. And yes, we love the great playmakers. But you know what else you need? You need the Jordin Tootoos and the Ian Laperrieres on your hockey club because they are the swizzle that stirs it and makes your motor go."
Terry Crisp - December 4, 2008 - Avs vs. Predators Broadcast
"I kind of accidentally speared Ian Laperriere in the face. I didn't hurt him. My stick just kind of got pushed up. He was an honest guy so I felt bad about that, but he was trying to run me. I got suspended 2 games."
Former NHL Player Todd Simpson, when asked if there was anything from his career he'd like to take back - January 20, 2009 - NHLFightClub.com Interview
"At times, this warrior has been the best player on the Avalanche this year. He fights, he scores and he plays with a passion like no other 35-year-old in the league. He brings it every night."
Cassie Campbell, when ranking the Top 10 NHL Role Players - January 26, 2009 - CBCSports.ca Blogs
"He is Braveheart on skates, the guy who will throw his body in front of a screaming slap shot with no second thought or fight the guy who just hit a teammate a little too hard for his liking."
Adrian Dater - February 25, 2009 - Denver Post
"Anyone that watches him and knows his reputation can see that he has a big heart, he plays hard and stands up for his teammates. He's a tremendous leader, a great energy guy and a great guy to have on your team. He's played hard for us all year, he plays the same way every game and he's a great guy for our young guys to learn from."
Former Avalanche head coach Tony Granato - March 22, 2009 - nhl.com
"He's one of the best teammates I ever played with. He's always in a good mood. He's lively, he's upbeat."
"He's contagious. He's fun. He knows when it's time to get serious, but one of his best traits is making fun of himself. It's fun to be around a guy that enjoys laughing at himself. I miss playing with him. I had a lot of fun playing with him for three years."
Minnesota Wild forward and former teammate, Andrew Brunette - March 22, 2009 - nhl.com
"Lappy doesn't take the NHL for granted. He's worked hard for it. He knows what hard work is all about and he's been rewarded for it. He knows how to carry himself as a pro. He plays with a lot of passion and he wants to win. I think everyone can see that by the way he plays. He'll take a puck in the face – anywhere – for you. He'll stick up for a teammate."
"He's a pain in the butt to play against. You'd much rather have him on your side, but I respected him as an opponent. He respects the game."
Avalanche defenseman and former teammate, Adam Foote - March 22, 2009 - nhl.com
"Ian Laperriere wanted to talk to me and I wouldn't because I was mad at him. Finally in his little French accent, he comes to me and says, 'C'mon there, Koho, you and me go way back. When I came into the league my nose was straight and your hair was black.' "
Retired NHL Referee Don Koharski, on the most memorable funny line uttered by a player;
He also named Lappy as the "chirpiest player in a positive way" that he encountered in his officiating career - March 28, 2009 - Canwest News Service
"There just is nobody more pure hockey than Lappy. There is nobody with more courage on a sheet of ice than the 35-year-old winger. None. He fights anybody, anytime. He splays his body in front of more slap shots than any forward in the league. He never, ever makes an excuse for his or his team's play. And, he's also the most generous player with his time for a good cause than any I've ever covered in 14 years."
Adrian Dater, honoring Lappy with the "Braveheart Award" - April 7, 2009 - Versus.com
"Ian Laperriere is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular professional athletes in all of sports – and when I say that, I mean both in his sport, and in the community. Nobody does it better."
Kyle Keefe - April 15, 2009 - Avalanche All Access
"A really good guy I think of is Ian Laperriere in Colorado. He is a guy that fills a void in a roster on a team like ours like no other. He's going to fight for his teammates, he's going to do anything he can possibly do to win a hockey game, and he's just one of those playoff guys that you look for."
Jeremy Roenick, on what he thought the Sharks were missing in the 2009 playoffs - April 30, 2009 - NHL Live!
"The one day we went to Red Rocks...it's way up in the air and it was amazing to see how hard they worked. Ian Laperriere, one of the toughest guys in the NHL, he showed me a lot...they're amazing athletes. He said if you want it that bad, you have to really work at it. You've got to push yourself."
Matt Hackett, 2009 top-ranked North American netminder prospect, on pre-season training in CO - June 17, 2009 - Canwest News Service