Ian Laperriere
Encyclopedia
Ian Laperrière is a Canadian professional ice hockey
player currently under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers
of the National Hockey League
(NHL), but who has not played since the season because of post-concussion syndrome.
(QMJHL) from 1990 to 1993 and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues
of the NHL in the 7th round and pick number 158 in the 1992 draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blues on March 3, 1994. On December 8, 1995, he was traded to the New York Rangers
for Stéphane Matteau
. On March 14, 1996, he was traded with Ray Ferraro
, Mattias Norström
, Nathan LaFayette
, and a draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings
in exchange for Jari Kurri
, Marty McSorley
and Shane Churla
. Laperrière was a mainstay on the Kings roster from 1996 until 2004. On July 2, 2004, Laperrière signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
Laperrière, affectionately known as 'Lappy' to his fans, was an immediate success with Colorado in the 2005–06 NHL season, posting the best points totals of his career. He scored 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points, far ahead of his previous bests of 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in the lockout-shortened 1994–95 NHL season. He quickly became a favorite with the Avalanche fans.
Laperrière scored the 100th goal of his career on October 29, 2006, against the Minnesota Wild
. He also passed 800 career games on November 28, against the Calgary Flames
in a 5–2 loss.
On April 1, 2009, Laperrière fought
with David Hale of the Phoenix Coyotes
for his 52nd hockey fight in an Avalanche jersey, passing Scott Parker in all time franchise fighting majors. He was announced as the Avalanches' Masterton Trophy nominee for the 2008–09
season on April 3, 2009. He played in his 1000th NHL game on April 11, 2009, against the Vancouver Canucks
in a 0–1 home overtime loss. He led the team that year with 163 penalty minutes, just one more minute than Cody McLeod
.
Unable to agree to a new deal with the Avalanche, Ian signed a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers
on July 1, 2009.
On November 27, 2009, Laperrière was hit with a slapshot in the mouth while killing a penalty at the end of the first period against the Buffalo Sabres
. He sat out the second period receiving between 50 and 100 stitches but returned for the third period. He also played the following night against the Atlanta Thrashers
. Laperrière lost seven teeth resulting from the incident (two fake and five real). A similar event occurred during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
on April 22. Laperrière was hit in the face near the end of a New Jersey power play
, resulting in an orbital
injury, and a mild concussion. Laperrière was listed as out indefinitely and his return to the playoffs was considered unlikely. However, after missing the Flyers second round series versus the Boston Bruins
he returned for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens
. In the May 2010 edition of the The Hockey News Laperrière was awarded THN's John Ferguson
Award for "Toughest Player in the NHL" in the 2009–10 season
..
His postseason play, however, came at a cost; during training camp in September 2010, Laperrière experienced symptoms of post-concussion syndrome
and nerve damage to his eyes from being hit in the face twice by pucks the previous season, and was announced as out for the entire 2010-11 season just before the season began. He was put on injured reserve before the season began, being placed on long-term injured reserve in mid-December to free up salary cap space, and doctors have advised Laperrière to retire, although he has not yet formally done so. The move was repeated again for the season to free up cap space, as Laperrière's symptoms have not subsided; his number #14 was reissued to rookie Sean Couturier
.
Despite missing all of the 2010-11 NHL season with post-concussion syndrome, Laperrière continued to serve the Flyers off the ice as a mentor to younger players in the organization and in other capacities. For that, Laperrière was awarded the 2011 Bill Masterton Trophy for his perseverance in the sport of hockey.
Ian was sworn in as a naturalized US citizen on August 30 in a ceremony in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player currently under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), but who has not played since the season because of post-concussion syndrome.
Playing career
Laperrière played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueQuebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL) from 1990 to 1993 and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
of the NHL in the 7th round and pick number 158 in the 1992 draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blues on March 3, 1994. On December 8, 1995, he was traded to the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
for Stéphane Matteau
Stephane Matteau
Stéphane Matteau is a former National Hockey League player.As a member of the New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup Championship team, Matteau is most remembered for scoring two overtime goals in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils...
. On March 14, 1996, he was traded with Ray Ferraro
Ray Ferraro
Raymond Ferraro is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , Los Angeles Kings , Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues...
, Mattias Norström
Mattias Norström
Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK IF organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles...
, Nathan LaFayette
Nathan LaFayette
Nathan LaFayette is a former ice hockey player in the NHL. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings...
, and a draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri
Jari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....
, Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
and Shane Churla
Shane Churla
Shane Churla is a former Canadian ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the sixth round, 110th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft...
. Laperrière was a mainstay on the Kings roster from 1996 until 2004. On July 2, 2004, Laperrière signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
Laperrière, affectionately known as 'Lappy' to his fans, was an immediate success with Colorado in the 2005–06 NHL season, posting the best points totals of his career. He scored 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points, far ahead of his previous bests of 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in the lockout-shortened 1994–95 NHL season. He quickly became a favorite with the Avalanche fans.
Laperrière scored the 100th goal of his career on October 29, 2006, against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He also passed 800 career games on November 28, against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
in a 5–2 loss.
On April 1, 2009, Laperrière fought
Fighting in ice hockey
Fighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
with David Hale of the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for his 52nd hockey fight in an Avalanche jersey, passing Scott Parker in all time franchise fighting majors. He was announced as the Avalanches' Masterton Trophy nominee for the 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
season on April 3, 2009. He played in his 1000th NHL game on April 11, 2009, against the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in a 0–1 home overtime loss. He led the team that year with 163 penalty minutes, just one more minute than Cody McLeod
Cody McLeod
Cody McLeod is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:McLeod was a fourth round WHL Bantam Draft pick for the Portland Winterhawks in 1999...
.
Unable to agree to a new deal with the Avalanche, Ian signed a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on July 1, 2009.
On November 27, 2009, Laperrière was hit with a slapshot in the mouth while killing a penalty at the end of the first period against the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
. He sat out the second period receiving between 50 and 100 stitches but returned for the third period. He also played the following night against the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
. Laperrière lost seven teeth resulting from the incident (two fake and five real). A similar event occurred during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
on April 22. Laperrière was hit in the face near the end of a New Jersey power play
Power play (sport)
"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...
, resulting in an orbital
Orbit (anatomy)
In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents...
injury, and a mild concussion. Laperrière was listed as out indefinitely and his return to the playoffs was considered unlikely. However, after missing the Flyers second round series versus the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
he returned for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. In the May 2010 edition of the The Hockey News Laperrière was awarded THN's John Ferguson
John Ferguson, Sr.
John Bowie "Fergy" Ferguson Sr. was a professional ice hockey player. Ferguson played as a left-winger for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1971.-Early years:...
Award for "Toughest Player in the NHL" in the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
..
His postseason play, however, came at a cost; during training camp in September 2010, Laperrière experienced symptoms of post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome, also known as postconcussive syndrome or PCS, and historically called shell shock, is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or occasionally up to a year or more after a concussion – a mild form of traumatic brain injury . PCS may also...
and nerve damage to his eyes from being hit in the face twice by pucks the previous season, and was announced as out for the entire 2010-11 season just before the season began. He was put on injured reserve before the season began, being placed on long-term injured reserve in mid-December to free up salary cap space, and doctors have advised Laperrière to retire, although he has not yet formally done so. The move was repeated again for the season to free up cap space, as Laperrière's symptoms have not subsided; his number #14 was reissued to rookie Sean Couturier
Sean Couturier
Sean Couturier is an American-born Canadian ice hockey player currently with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
.
Despite missing all of the 2010-11 NHL season with post-concussion syndrome, Laperrière continued to serve the Flyers off the ice as a mentor to younger players in the organization and in other capacities. For that, Laperrière was awarded the 2011 Bill Masterton Trophy for his perseverance in the sport of hockey.
Personal life
Ian is married to Magali and has two sons; Tristan, born in March 2002 and Zachary, born April 2004.Ian was sworn in as a naturalized US citizen on August 30 in a ceremony in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 QMJHL season The 1990–91 QMJHL season was the 22nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the St-Clair Group Plaque, awarded to the "Marketing Director of the Year." Dilio and Lebel divisions are restored as the league adds an expansion franchise in Beauport,... |
Drummondville Voltigeurs Drummondville Voltigeurs The Drummondville Voltigeurs are a junior ice hockey team of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The franchise was originally granted for the 1982–83 season, and are based out of Drummondville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Centre Marcel Dionne... |
QMJHL | 65 | 19 | 29 | 48 | 117 | 14 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 48 | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 QMJHL season The 1991–92 QMJHL season was the 23rd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Molson Cup, awarded to the overall "Rookie of the Year," in addition to the existing Michel Bergeron Trophy and Raymond Lagacé Trophy.The top three scorers in the league,... |
Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 70 | 28 | 49 | 77 | 160 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 QMJHL season The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons... |
Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 60 | 44 | 96 | 140 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 QMJHL season The 1993–94 QMJHL season was the 25th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a special logo/patch for its 25th anniversary. The league expands northward, granting an expansion franchise in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Thirteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 62 | 41 | 72 | 113 | 150 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Peoria Rivermen Peoria Rivermen (IHL) The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.... |
IHL | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Peoria Rivermen | IHL | 51 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 111 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 37 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 85 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 21 | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Worcester IceCats Worcester IceCats The Worcester IceCats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA at the Worcester Centrum... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 33 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 62 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 77 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 131 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 1998–99 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 72 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 138 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 79 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 185 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2000–01 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 79 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 141 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | ||
| 2001–02 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 81 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 125 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | ||
| 2002–03 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 73 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 122 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 62 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL | 82 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 116 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | ||
| 2006–07 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 81 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 133 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 70 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 140 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 74 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 163 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 82 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 162 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| NHL totals | 1083 | 121 | 215 | 336 | 1956 | 67 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 102 | ||||