Ian Laperriere Quote Book
2009 - 2010
Quotes About Lappy
"He's a warrior-type player and he's very durable. Lots of energy. He is one of those types of character players that everybody is after."
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren - July 2, 2009 - Philadelphia Daily News
"He's a great character guy. He is one of those guys, the kind of a player you need. He brings grit. He's a heart-and-soul player who will do anything for his teammates."
"He can play tough, he can fight if he needs to, and he plays his heart out every night. He is going to be a big player for our team. It might not show on a score sheet, but he can bring a lot to our team."
Flyers forward Daniel Briere - July 2, 2009 - Philadelphia Daily News
"Ian is a player that I have coveted for a long time. The best way that I can sum up Ian and what he is going to bring to our team is that he comes to play."
"I think the fans of Philadelphia are going to love his style of play and enthusiasm and his effervescence for the game. He is going to make a large impact on our team and our young players."
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren - July 15, 2009 - Philadelphia Daily News
"You get a lot of P's with Ian Laperriere: Penalty-killer. Pest. Physical force. Perfect teammate."
Wayne Fish - July 16, 2009 - Bucks County Courier Times
"What the Kings should have done – and the NHL can use this slogan if they like – was take somebody like Ian Laperriere when he was still on the team, have a big portrait of his face, smiling with no teeth and his big, messed-up nose, and the slogan – 'You think you're tough? KINGS.' "
Rob Zombie, discussing how NHL teams should market the game - October 19, 2009 - THN.com Blog
"He's a professional. And the thing about it is that he understands his role, he knows how to win, he's a fun guy for his teammates, and he just brings energy. He brings energy all the time."
Pierre McGuire - November 12, 2009 - TSN Broadcast - Flyers vs. Senators
"The unsung hero was Laperriere, who has as much courage as anyone in pro sports."
Bill Clement, following the Flyers victory over the Islanders during which Ian had 2 fights in the first period - November 25, 2009 - CSNPhilly.com
"That is incredible that he's back in this hockey game. What an absolute warrior Ian Laperriere is. That is an uplifting event when you're on that Flyers' bench and you know you're down on bodies in a game, and a player like that returns after taking a puck to the face on a one-time slapshot."
Keith Jones, Philadelphia Flyers' TV Analyst - November 27, 2009 - Flyers vs. Sabres
"All hockey players are warriors, and then there are some that are even a notch above the rest. And Ian Laperriere has proven once again here today that he is just that."
Jim Jackson, Philadelphia Flyers' TV Play-by-Play - November 27, 2009 - Flyers vs. Sabres
"I think he shocked his teammates. I think they were a little worried about him wanting to come back. But there was no question in his mind. The most troubling thing to him through all of that was that he was missing as much time as he was. That tells you something about him."
"He's a ferocious warrior that seems to want to fight through everything to keep playing the game. It was a pretty impressive effort by him."
John Stevens, Philadelphia Flyers' Head Coach - November 27, 2009 - Flyers vs. Sabres Post-Game Press Conference
"After the game, Laperriere's mouth was so swollen that he looked like a cartoon character. Yet, he is expected expected to play Saturday in Atlanta. You will not find a grittier player in the NHL."
Sam Carchidi - November 27, 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer's Broad Street Bull Blog
Laperriere lost four teeth and received between 50 and 100 stitches when he blocked Jason Pominville's slap shot with his mouth in the first period - and returned to play in the third period.
"Gotta love Ian Laperriere. I played with Lappy in New York and was traded with him to Los Angeles. Energetic, team-first, tough. He has carved out an excellent career with those earmarks. So this week, he blocks a Jason Pominville shot, but in his words 'was stupid, I was too far away.' Ok, maybe, but he took somewhere between 50-100 stitches, lost a handful of teeth, and returned in the 3rd period with a cage. Warrior."
Ray Ferraro, Razor's Edge Blog - November 30, 2009 - TSN.com
"To see this guy come back with his lip hanging over his toes...that was pretty incredible. There are guys on this team that have some heart, but (Laperriere) tops them all."
Flyers' teammate James van Riemsdyk - December 1, 2009 - Norristown Times Herald
"Ian Laperriere - love the guy."
Former LA Kings Head Coach Andy Murray, when asked to do some word association regarding his former players - January 9, 2010 - HockeyIndependent.com
"Funniest Player Encountered: Ian Laperriere. (Why?) He just loves; he still loves to play the game. Just a great attitude, good demeanor and no matter what is going on, he always found a way to put a fun, positive spin on everything out there."
Retired NHL referee Don Koharski in "Getting To Know Don Koharski" - January 10, 2010 - TheHockeyNews.com
"He's a character person, he's a quality person, not just in hockey but life as well – a guy that you want on your bench."
Flyers' Head Coach Peter Laviolette - January 12, 2010 - Burlington County Times
"A guy who's been around like him knows a momentum change was needed. Whether it's through a big hit, a fight, a blocked shot with his face...whatever it is, he's willing to do it. He's a consummate teammate, and that's hard to find."
Flyers' teammate Chris Pronger - January 23, 2010 - Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers
"If you took a vote in the locker room, the comical, self-deprecating Laperriere - he of the crooked nose and quick one-liners - would be named the team's most popular player. He'll fight anyone to ignite a spark; he'll recklessly throw his body to the ice to thwart an opponent's power-play pass; he'll block a shot with his face - as he did earlier this season, losing seven teeth, breaking a bone above his lip, requiring nearly 100 stitches in the first period and returning to play the third period."
Sam Carchidi - January 31, 2010 - Philadelphia Inquirer
"When you talk about solid humans in the National Hockey League, it doesn't get any better than the man known as 'Lappy,' Ian Laperriere."
Eddie Olczyk - March 2, 2010 - Flyers vs. Lightning broadcast on Versus
"They are unbelievable. These are guys that don't get a lot of print, but we know in that locker room how important they are and they pay the price every night, especially on the penalty kill. These guys block shots, and Bettsy's great on draws. They're the type of guys you need to win -- and if you don't have them, you're not going to win."
Flyers goalie Brian Boucher, discussing Laperriere and Betts - April 17, 2010 - NHL.com
"I've never seen someone sacrifice their body the way he does, in this League or anywhere, for that matter. It's pretty amazing... He's been doing it all year. He's always the guy that we could look to for blocking shots and sacrificing. You want to have the courage to be able to do what he does."
Flyers forward Dan Carcillo
"You've got a good-looking guy like Lappy throwing his face in front of one there. Sometimes blocking one with your face is what it takes. The guys see that on the bench and that only makes them want to push harder, to sacrifice more, because they're watching guys do stuff like that."
Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger
"I'll guarantee you that Lappy would have been back on the bench if they could have gotten him stitched up in time. He and (Blair) Betts, all of them, but he and Betts do such a tremendous job."
Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette
"You don't win without guys paying the price. The ultimate sacrifice you can make for the team is blocking shots and it's the only reason we're moving on to the second round. I hope Lappy is OK. The guy is an absolute warrior and he takes so much pride in killing penalties and blocking shots. Without him and guys like Blair Betts, we wouldn't be going to the second round -- we'd be done."
Flyers goalie Brian Boucher
Flyers' reactions after Lappy took a puck to the face for a second time this season, requiring 60-70 stitches above his right eye - April 23, 2010 - NHL.com
"Jack Bauer wears Ian Laperriere Underoos."
@georgeward via Twitter, after Lappy took a puck to the face for a second time this season - April 23, 2010
"As for the warrior of the playoffs, it has to be Laperriere, doesn't it? The guy isn't anywhere close to a 6-foot-4 walking brick wall, but he plays like he's got a warehouse full of family jewels. I'd take him on my team any day."
Adam Proteau - April 23, 2010 - The Hockey News
"A guy like Laperriere has been playing in the league a long time...[and] he's been good enough to share a lot of his knowledge with me."
Flyers rookie James van Riemsdyk, on the teammate he's learned the most from this season - April 23, 2010 - The Hockey News
"Well I think hell would freeze over before he doesn't play. (Saturday) we kept him off the ice even though he wanted to skate. (Today) is a day off, so he'll get another day off to recuperate and we'll re-evaluate him on Monday and see where he's at. He certainly looks a lot better today than he did yesterday, other than the fact that it's very colorful."
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, regarding Laperriere's plans to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, despite taking a puck to the face in the final game of the quarterfinals - April 24, 2010 - Delco Times
"You won't find a better, more plucky grinder in the NHL than the Philadelphia Flyers' Ian Laperrière."
Red Fisher - April 24, 2010 - Montreal Gazette
"What can you say about Ian Laperriere? He's a player that I've played with on my line with all season. He's the guy I've killed penalties with all season. There's a comfortability factor there that's going to be missed. He's a guy with a lot of experience in the league. He's great in the dressing room, too – he talks and jokes around with everyone. I think we're going to miss that, as well as his blood, guts and heart he shows on the ice. Replacing him is going to be tough..."
Teammate Blair Betts' Playoff Blog - April 28, 2010 - Official Website of the Philadelphia Flyers
"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."
Teammate Matt Carle's Playoff Blog - April 28, 2010 - Philadelphia Daily News
"Lappy is an infectious guy. He's someone that I think everyone enjoys having around in the locker room. He's a great hockey player and a better person, so those are the people you want in your locker room. Especially this time of the year."
Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette - May 16, 2010 - nhl.com
"There have been a lot of guys throughout the course of the year who've helped me. I sit next to Ian Laperriere in the locker room so obviously he's in my ear a little bit. It's always good to have a guy like him on your side because he's been through it all and played for a long time."
Flyers teammate James van Riemsdyk - May 20, 2010 - The Star-Ledger
"We all know what he does on the ice. He's tough to play against. He's a great penalty killer. He brings a lot of energy, finishes his checks... He's one of those guys that at the end of the night might not have a couple goals and couple assists, but he does a lot of little things right that helps out your team."
Flyers teammate Danny Briere - May 21, 2010 - CSNPhilly.com
"He sacrifices his body every game. He does the things nobody wants to do. That is what makes his so special. He is probably the best team player I have ever seen. I'm only 22, but I'm sure he'll be right up there when I'm done."
Flyers forward Claude Giroux
"Talk about the ultimate sacrifice: blocking shots with your face, laying down in front of pucks. Guys feed off that, teams feed off that, the crowd feeds off that. He's just an incredible guy. He wants to win so bad and you can just tell it every practice and every time he is on the ice."
Flyers forward Scott Hartnell
"Lappy will block a shot until his dying day."
Flyers Chairman Ed Snider
"Lappy is such a good guy. He goes out and leaves it all on the ice. He's a heart-and-soul type of guy, a guy that everybody in the League would love to have on their team. He doesn't have to say anything, you just sit back and watch the way he carries himself and acts and his work habits."
Flyers forward Jeff Carter
The Flyers discuss the impact of Ian Laperriere - May 27, 2010 - NHL.com
"You also think about the fact that everybody says the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in all of sports. It requires courage. It requires determination. It requires hard work and guts. And I suppose the two poster boys, if you will, for this series are Ian Laperriere of the Flyers and Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks. Their faces have paid a mighty price for collisions with flying pucks, and their quick return to action represents the willingness to sacrifice, the commitment to team and team welfare. These are the trademarks of all of our athletes when the Stanley Cup is at stake. They are examples of heart. And heart is something that I think our players show night in and night out."
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman - May 28, 2010 - State of the League News Conference
"You look across the ice against a guy like that and he's got the full face mask on because he got two pucks off his face. It's crazy. I can't imagine going through something like that and having the courage to come back and play. That's incredible."
Chicago Blackhawk Adam Burish - May 31, 2010 - Globe and Mail
"The 5,000th draft pick in NHL history was made in 1992, when the New York Islanders selected defenseman Steve O'Rourke in the seventh round (No. 159). He bounced around the minor leagues and Europe and never made the NHL. But the player taken with pick No. 4,999 certainly has done well for himself -- Ian Laperriere, who just finished his 17th NHL season, playing all 82 regular-season games for the Philadelphia Flyers at age 36."
NHL.com's Adam Kimelman - June 24, 2010 - 43 things you need to know about the 2010 Entry Draft