Maxim Lapierre is a former professional ice hockey player from Canada who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was known for his physical play and ability to agitate opponents, earning him the nickname "Lappy."
Lapierre began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), playing for the Montreal Rocket and then the PEI Rocket. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in 2005.
Over the course of his NHL career, Lapierre played for several teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Swiss team HC Lugano. He was known for his defensive skills and ability to win faceoffs, as well as his physical play and willingness to drop the gloves.
Lapierre's most successful season came in 2008-2009, when he scored a career-high 15 goals and 28 points for the Canadiens. He also helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals that year.
However, Lapierre's career was not without controversy. He was suspended multiple times for hits to the head and other dangerous plays, and was criticized for his agitating style of play. In 2010, he was fined for making a controversial gesture towards the Boston Bruins bench during a playoff game.
Lapierre retired from professional hockey in 2019, after playing for HC Lugano in Switzerland for two seasons. He finished his NHL career with 65 goals and 74 assists in 614 games, as well as 623 penalty minutes.
Despite his controversial reputation, Lapierre was respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He was known for his leadership skills and was often called upon to play a defensive role on his teams.
Overall, Maxim Lapierre had a successful career in professional hockey, playing for several teams and earning a reputation as a physical and agitating player. While his style of play may have been controversial at times, he was respected by his peers for his dedication and leadership on and off the ice.
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