Flyer favorite ‘Lappy’ hangs up the skates after tough two years

Ian Laperriere hasn’t played in an NHL game since the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. However, he has been listed on the Flyers’ roster for the past two seasons, many times showing up and sitting in the press box.

Laperriere had been sidelined with post-concussion syndrome. Now that his contract is set to expire (July 1), Laperriere chose to officially hang up the skates and retire.

“I’m just glad I had the chance to wear the Orange and Black,” Laperriere told reporters yesterday. “Pretty much, it’s something that I would have missed just to play for a team that cares so much about their fans and their players so much.”

The moment that would end his career happened April 22, 2010, when Laperriere blocked a slap shot with his face. He temporarily lost vision in his eye and he needed 70 stitches. The Flyers rewarded “Lappy” with the Masterton Trophy in 2011 as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

“You see me at the rink and everything’s good, I have a smile on my face, but trust me, it’s been a really, really tough past two years,” he said.