Ian Laperrière: Revered Flyers Enforcer Turned Coach – Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers

Now in his fourth season leading the American Hockey League's (AHL) Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ian Laperrière became the fourth coach in franchise history to reach 100 wins earlier this season. Before moving into the front office and coaching positions, the Montreal native played 16 parts of the season in the NHL. The longtime promoter was a fan favorite throughout his career.

Despite playing a single full campaign in a Philadelphia Flyers uniform, the right-hander remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. His toughness and tenacity on the ice fit well with a team that respects hard-nosed players. As he continues to rebuild his coaching career, Laperrière has become a strong candidate for future big league jobs.

Blues & Rangers

Drafted 158th overall by St. Louis Blues in 1992, Laperrière broke into the NHL with the club in the 1993-94 season. His one major league game on March 3, 1994, served as the start of a long and productive career. The following season, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) product played in 37 games, recording 27 points (13 goals and 14 assists) and 85 penalty minutes. Known as an enforcer throughout his career, Laperrière had 87 penalty minutes in 33 games before facing the New York Rangers on Dec. 8, 1995, to Stéphane Matteau. After joining the Rangers, he added another 53 penalty minutes in 28 games.

Los Angeles Kings

The 1995-96 campaign saw Laperrière join his third team on March 14, 1996. The 22-year-old was traded with Ray Ferraro, Mattias Norström, Nathan LaFayette, and a draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings for Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley. , and Shane Churla. Laperrière played 10 games in his first season with the Kings, adding two goals, three assists, and 15 penalty minutes to his campaign tally.

In the 1996-97 season, Laperrière appeared in 62 games for the Kings. One of his best seasons with Los Angeles came in the 1999-00 season when he recorded 185 penalty minutes and 22 points (nine goals and 13 assists) in 79 games. His popularity in the locker room and outstanding leadership on the ice eventually earned him another “A” captaincy for the 2001-02 campaign. Between 2001 and 2004, in three full seasons as co-captain, Laperrière appeared in 216 games, collecting 63 points and 305 penalty minutes. His Kings reached the postseason once during this three-year stretch, falling to the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in the 2002 Western Conference quarterfinals.

The Colorado Avalanche

Laperrière signed a free agent contract with the Avalanche on July 2, 2004. The 2004–05 NHL lockout and subsequent season cancellations delayed “Lappy” from suiting up for Colorado until the 2005–06 campaign. He was also awarded another captain's “A,” an honor he retained throughout his four seasons with the Avalanche. In his first season with Colorado, the right-handed forward exploded offensively, scoring 45 points, a career high in the NHL. His 21 goals, 24 assists, and 116 penalty minutes helped Colorado into the 2006 season. After defeating the Dallas Stars in the opening round (4-1), the Avalanche fell to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-0 in the semifinals of the Western Conference.

After missing the playoffs in the 2006-07 season, Colorado returned to its winning ways in the 2007-08 campaign. That season, Laperrière had 19 points and 133 penalty minutes in 69 games. In 10 playoff games, the 34-year-old had one goal, an assist, and 19 penalty minutes. His Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in the Western Conference quarterfinals before falling to the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the semifinals. Detroit swept the Avalanche in the series.

In his final season with Colorado, Laperrière appeared in 74 games, recording 19 points (seven goals and 12 assists) and 163 penalty minutes. During that time, he also reached a career milestone, playing in his 1,000th NHL game on April 11, 2009, against the Vancouver Canucks. A beloved member of the Avalanche, Laperrière failed to agree to a new contract with the franchise that offseason.

Philadelphia Flyers

On July 1, 2009, Laperrière signed a three-year contract with the Flyers. The veteran forward became an instant hit with the Philadelphia faithful. The 36-year-old has reinvented his body with his fifth career team. In 82 games with the Flyers, Laperrière collected three goals, 17 assists, and 162 penalty minutes. He appeared in 13 of Philadelphia's playoff games that postseason, adding an assist and six penalty minutes to his season total.

Laperrière entered Philadelphia sports history on April 22 when he was hit in the face by a puck that damaged his orbital and gave him a minor concussion. After missing the second round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, he returned for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens. The Flyers ended their playoff run at the top of the Eastern Conference, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals. The 2010 Stanley Cup Final was Laperrière's first appearance in a championship series.

Laperrière's career ended during the preseason, when he began showing signs of post-concussion syndrome and nerve damage in training camp. He was sidelined for the entire 2010-11 campaign, being placed on long-term injured reserve to allow for recovery. Laperrière was forced to sit out the 2011–12 season again. Despite missing significant playing time, he continued to show outstanding leadership by mentoring younger players in the Flyers organization. Seeing no way to return to playing full time, he officially retired from the NHL on June 12, 2012.

Post-Play Work

Less than two weeks after he retired from the league in 2012, the Flyers named Laperrière director of player development. In the 2013-14 season, he was named an assistant coach for the Flyers. He served as an assistant coach for the club until June 5, 2021, when he was named head coach of the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Phantoms.

His Phantoms teams have reached the postseason in the past two seasons. During the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, Lehigh Valley defeated its in-state rival, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-0 in the first round Atlantic Division series. The Phantoms went on to fall to the Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears 3-1 in the next round. On October 24, 2024, Laperrière reached yet another career milestone, this time off the bench, when he won his 100th game in a 2-1 road victory over Hershey.

Related: Ian Laperrière Gets 2-Year Extension As Phantoms Coach

As Laperrière's popularity grows in the organization, all signs point to the 50-year-old being a potential successor to Flyers head coach John Tortorella when his tenure ends. After all, Laperrière is respected by the Flyers front office and fans alike, as a player and coach. His continued success in the AHL only strengthens the case for him getting a shot behind the bench on professional hockey's biggest stage.