Ian Laperriere is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 16 seasons. He was born on January 19, 1974, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Laperriere began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the St. Hyacinthe Laser in 1991. He played for the Laser for two seasons before being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the seventh round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.
Laperriere made his NHL debut with the Blues in the 1993-94 season and played for them for four seasons. He then played for the New York Rangers for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1996. Laperriere played for the Kings for eight seasons and was known for his physical play and leadership on the ice. He was named the Kings' captain in the 2002-03 season.
In 2004, Laperriere signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent. He played for the Avalanche for six seasons and was a key player on their penalty kill unit. Laperriere was known for his toughness and willingness to block shots, often sacrificing his body to help his team. He was a fan favorite in Colorado and was named the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2009.
Laperriere's NHL career came to an end in 2010 when he suffered a concussion during the playoffs. He attempted to make a comeback the following season but was forced to retire due to lingering effects from the injury. Laperriere finished his NHL career with 336 points (121 goals, 215 assists) in 1,083 games played.
After retiring from playing, Laperriere joined the Philadelphia Flyers as an assistant coach. He served as an assistant coach for the Flyers from 2010 to 2014 before being promoted to director of player development in 2014. In this role, Laperriere was responsible for developing the team's prospects and helping them transition to the NHL.
Laperriere's hockey career was marked by his toughness, leadership, and dedication to his team. He was a respected player on and off the ice and was known for his work ethic and commitment to the game. Despite suffering a career-ending injury, Laperriere continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and mentor to young players.
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