Ian Laperriere confirmed with Quebecor reporter Joanie Godin that he is retiring this summer. This should come as no surprise, but it’s interesting to hear that he will continue working in the mentor role he has filled over the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The following quotes are loosely translated from the interview using the combined power of the Altavista Babelfish translator and Google Translate.
On his career:
“I have no regrets and I had fun playing for 16 years. I left everything on the ice and I was lucky to always play in beautiful cities. I played my last game at age 36 and to be honest, I did not think that a player like me could remain in the circuit as long [as I did].”
On playing in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Flyers in 2010:
“Participating in the Finals is one of the best moments of my career, but it still remains a bittersweet memory because of the defeat.”
On his health:
“It’s been as I long expected, since my condition has not improved [since] last year… I am able to have a normal life, but to have a normal life and play in the National Hockey League, this is not the same choice.”
“I always said that I would play as long as my body would allow me. This is no longer the case.”
On his future with the Flyers:
“My post-career is coming to it. I love sharing my knowledge with young people and I know that the organization likes what I’m doing with them.”
“I worked a lot with guys like Matt Read and Zac Rinaldo this season. They came to my training camp last summer and they trained with us. It is fun and especially rewarding to see them succeed. It makes me proud.”
Laperriere spent nine seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. With the Kings one win away from winning the ultimate prize, it is likely that he will wait until the end of the Stanley Cup Finals to make everything officially official.
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Good luck Lappy.
Loved him when he was with the Kings and continued to love him with the Flyers. I hope that he has a long healthy post hockey life. He could pretty much be a commentator any where he wanted to.
A humble man who knows where to place his priorities. A great heart no matter what role or position he serves in. It’s these lunch-pail guys who make the best coaches, not the ex-superstars, because they bring such a tremendous work ethic.