Flyers winger Ian Laperriere will announce his retirement from hockey after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, according to a report from Canoe.ca (and translation via TheCheckingLine.com).
Weve known for a while a return to the NHL wasnt in the cards for Laperriere, who last hit the ice for the Flyers in Game 6 of the 2010 Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks. But because of rules in the CBA regarding players who sign contracts after the age of 35, he hasnt been able to retire because, if he did, his salary would be held against the Flyers. Instead, Laperriere has remained on the teams long-term injured reserve list, even while he's appeared on CSN's programming like Flyers Pregame Live and Postgame Live.
Laperriere, who sustained a head injury during the Flyers quarterfinal series against the New Jersey Devils in 2010, has remained around the team despite being unable to playat times helping coach younger players.
Despite the severity of his career-ending injury, Laperriere said he is able to lead a normal life.
"I am able to have a normal life, he told Canoe.ca, but have a normal life and play in the NHL, this is not the same thing."
The Flyers signed Laperriere as a free agent in 2009, and the gritty, checking-line winger quickly became a fan favorite. During his sole season with the Flyers, he took two pucks directly to the headfacefamously returning to the ice after being hit in the mouth by a puck in game against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov 27.