Ian Laperriere News and Photos
January 2009
Avalanche report: Happy 'Lappy'
(from the Rocky Mountain News - January 1, 2009)
Ian Laperriere, is enjoying his switch from wing to center, a move necessitated by the injuries to Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny.
"You're always involved, which I like," said Laperriere, who spent most of the game Wednesday on a line with Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos. "There is more responsibility, faceoffwise, and I like the challenge."
Laperriere won seven of 12 faceoffs against the Coyotes. He logged 14:14 of ice time and had one shot on goal.
"You're always looking to score goals, but my main thing is to be strong defensively," he said. "I believe if I'm strong defensively, the offensive chances are going to come."
--Rick Sadowski
Avalanche 1 - Blue Jackets 6
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Ian Laperriere assisted on Darcy Tucker's goal and had two hits and one blocked shot in Colorado's loss to Columbus on Friday, January 2, 2009.
ColoradoDads.com - Featured Father
Avalanche 0 - Wild 2
Ian Laperriere had 1 shot on goal and 2 hits as the Avs were shut out by the Wild on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Ian left the game early in the third period and did not return.
Laperriere, Foote Out vs. Nashville
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
The Avalanche will be without a pair of veterans when the club faces Nashville tomorrow, as defenseman Adam Foote and forward Ian Laperriere will not make the trip to Tennessee.
Foote suffered a tricep injury during Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Wild. The blueliner played briefly in the second period before leaving the game. He did not take part in practice Monday and is out indefinitely.
The Avalanche also played the third period of last night's game without the services of Laperriere. The winger, who has been playing center of late, skated for just 9:03 before leaving the contest with a back injury.
"Adam has a tricep injury and he's going to be reevaluated in the next few days," said Avalanche head coach Tony Granato. "Ian should be day-to-day. He's got a stiff back but won't make the trip."
Avalanche 2 - Predators 1
Ian Laperriere did not make the trip to Nashville for the Tuesday, January 6, 2009 game, but he was not forgotten, as seen by this sign shown on the Altitude broadcast of the game.
NHL's Most Quotable Player - Runner-Up
(from the San Jose Mercury News - January 6, 2009)
In a poll of hockey writers and columnists conducted by Canwest, a news service in Canada, Ian Laperriere placed second in the category of "Most Quotable Player."
First place went to another talker, Jeremy Roenick.
Avalanche 2 - Blackhawks 1
Ian Laperriere missed his second straight game on Thursday, January 8, 2009 due to back stiffness.
Avalanche 5 - Penguins 3
Ian Laperriere remained out of the line-up for the game on Saturday, January 10, 2009.
Injury Update
(from the Denver Post - January 11, 2009)
Center/right wing Ian Laperriere (back) is improving as well, but more on his status for the road trip will be known Monday, when the team resumes practice.
Lappy, Foote Out Versus Columbus
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Veterans Adam Foote (triceps), and Ian Laperriere (back) will not play on Tuesday against the Blue Jackets.
Foote has been skating recently, and Granato said the earliest he could possibly return would be Friday's game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Laperriere did not skate today, and the team is taking a careful approach with his rehabilitation.
"We're just being cautious and we don't want to have a setback," said Granato. "He's progressing slowly. He won't be on the trip, so I don't think the Edmonton game is realistic because he won't have a full practice."
Avalanche 3 - Blue Jackets 4
Ian Laperriere remained out of the line-up for the game on Tuesday, January 13, 2009.
Avalanche 2 - Blues 5
Ian Laperriere missed his fifth straight game on Thursday, January 15, 2009 due to back stiffness.
Avalanche 2 - Oilers 3
Ian Laperriere remained out of the line-up as the Avs started their 8-game homestand on Friday, January 16, 2009.
Foote, Laperriere Likely to Return After All-Star Break
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Avalanche head coach Tony Granato noted that even though Foote is getting close to returning, he and veteran forward Ian Laperriere (back) may not see game action until Jan. 27 against the San Jose Sharks.
"Now, with the way the schedule is set up and the All-Star Break coming up, it would be more realistic after the All-Star Break for both Footie and Lappy," said Granato. "If they make great improvements in the next couple days, it's possible for Wednesday."
Avalanche 6 - Flames 2
Laperriere on IR, Avs recall Durno
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche)
Prior to the game on Sunday, January 18, 2009, the Colorado Avalanche placed forward Ian Laperriere on their injured reserve list (retroactive to Jan. 4) because of a back injury.
To take his place, the team recalled forward Chris Durno of the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAPPY!!!
January 19th
Injury Update
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche - January 20, 2009)
According to Avalanche head coach Tony Granato, none of his injured players will be returning Wednesday when Colorado hosts the Los Angeles Kings.
Ian Laperriere (back) did not skate today. The timetable for his return remains after the All-Star break.
Avalanche 5 - Kings 6
On The Verge
(from the Denver Post - January 22, 2009)
As expected, defenseman Adam Foote (triceps) and winger Ian Laperriere (back) missed the Kings game, but they participated in the morning skate.
Granato said he was hoping both would be ready to play Tuesday against San Jose, and he added that winger David Jones (back) also is getting close to returning.
The Avalanche assistant captain talks about his progress recovering from his current injury
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Laperriere, Jones Should Return vs. San Jose
(from the Official Website of the Colorado Avalanche - January 26, 2009)
Veteran Ian Laperriere (back) should also be back in the lineup against the Sharks. However, defenseman Adam Foote (triceps) isn't quite poised for a return yet.
"Lappy and Jonesy should be ready for tomorrow," said Avalanche head coach Tony Granato. "Footie is still a few days away, but a full practice obviously makes everybody more excited about his return. We're still thinking he's a few days away."
Laperriere has been itching to get back into game action since leaving the Avs' Jan. 4 contest versus Minnesota with his current ailment.
"You know what? We'll see how it goes tomorrow but it felt pretty good out there today," said the 15-year veteran. "I'm going to prepare like I'm playing tomorrow."
Lappy Ranks Among Top 10 Role Players of the First Half
(from CBCSports.ca Blogs - January 26, 2009)
A ton of attention was paid to the all-star teams in Montreal over this past weekend and rightfully so, but there is another group of players that mean so much to their respective teams – the unsung heroes or role players.
They exist on every NHL franchise and are key components to teams in their journey to win championships. They are the guys who never receive much of the attention and are often under valued, but in the dressing room, we all knew how important their contributions are. In fact, a team is never successful without the role players.
Ian Laperriere – At times, this warrior has been the best player on the Avalanche this year. He fights, he scores and he plays with a passion like no other 35-year-old in the league. He brings it every night.
The Hockey News
January 26, 2009
In the wake of Don Sanderson's death, THN examines the role fighting plays in hockey today and allows voices from all sides of the debate to weigh in, from former GM Jay Feaster to NHLer tough guy Todd Fedoruk to TSN analyst Pierre McGuire.
Avalanche activate forward Ian Laperriere off injured reserve
(from The Associated Press - January 27, 2009)
The Colorado Avalanche activated Ian Laperriere from the injured reserve list, making him available for the game tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
The forward has been out since leaving Jan. 4 in the third period with a back injury. The 35-year-old Laperriere has four goals and nine assists this season.
Avalanche 0 - Sharks 3
Ian Laperriere logged 15:58 of ice time in his return on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.
Colorado Avalanche Ian Laperriere and San Jose Shark Marc-Edouard Vlasic fight for position as the puck sails by during the third period, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at Pepsi Center.
(Denver Post Photo by John Leyba)
The Avalanche's assistant captain talks about his team's upcoming game with San Jose
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 4 - Maple Leafs 7
Ian Laperriere had two hits and two take-aways in Colorado's loss to Toronto on Thursday, January 29, 2009.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Pepsi Center on January 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Our Visit to Ronald McDonald House
On Friday, January 30, 2009, Ian was kind enough to join us in visiting the kids at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver.
Lappy signed autographs and we talked with some old friends at the House and made some new friends too. (We may have even converted some new hockey fans!)
Avalanche 3 - Ducks 4
Ian Laperriere - 1 Goal
Ian Laperriere scored his fifth goal of the season and had three blocked shots in Colorado's loss to Anaheim on Saturday, January 31, 2009.
Video of the Goal from nhl.com
Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate Ian Laperriere's goal against the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center on January 31, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
One of our photos from the game