Laperrière appointed coach of the Flyers school club

Ian Laperrière was named head coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers’ school club in the American Hockey League, on Sunday.

The 47-year-old Quebecer has been an assistant coach with the Flyers for the past eight seasons.

« He has been an extremely dedicated individual to the Flyers organization and has demonstrated an impeccable work ethic as a player, development coach and assistant over the past 12 years with us, » said the manager. General Chuck Fletcher. We are delighted that he is now in the driver’s seat of developing our prospects to prepare them for the NHL and achieve success in Lehigh Valley. « 

Laperrière had 336 points (121 goals, 215 assists) in 1083 NHL games spread over 16 seasons with the Flyers, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. . He played 82 games with Philadelphia in 2009-10, but suffered a concussion when he received the puck in the face while trying to block a shot in Game 5 of the Association quarter-finals. ‘East against the New Jersey Devils. He never played again afterwards.

Laperrière remained active with the Flyers the following season and won the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

After retiring as a player on June 12, 2012, he was hired by the Flyers to serve as director of player development, a role he held for one season before becoming an assistant coach.