Laperriere added to Flyers' front office

In addition to the news that Terry Murray will once again rejoin the organization as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms (see story), the Flyers announced Friday that Ian Laperriere has been hired as the franchise's director of player development.

“We are pleased to add Ian to our staff as director of player development,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.  “Ian will work closely with all of our young prospects in the system from skill development to fitness to nutrition. We feel that Ian’s experiences and enthusiasm for life and the game of hockey make him the perfect man for this important role.”

The position isn't unfamiliar for Laperriere, who has remained on the Flyers long-term injured reserve list since taking a puck to the face in the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs in his only season with the club. Over that time, he's not only served as a hockey analyst for Comcast SportsNet, but also maintained relationships with his former teammates and assisted at practice. For his efforts, Laperriere won the 2011 Bill Masteron Trophy, an annual award presented to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey" as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

“It’s a job that suits me well,” Laperriere said.  “It’s one of those jobs that you need a relationship with the young guys and you need to have some experience, and I think I have both.  I’ve always been able to relate well with anybody, from 18 year old kids to 40-year-old veterans – it’s always been one of my strengths, so I’m going to use that with these young guys.  I’ll do the best I can to help all our prospects be successful.  It’s a challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

Laperriere played over 1,000 games in his 16-year NHL career. He signed with the Flyers as a free agent prior to the 2009-10 season, in which he played all 82 games, before getting injured while blocking a shot in the playoffs.

He has battled post-concussion syndrome ever since, the same issue now afflicting Flyers captain Chris Pronger and former captain Keith Primeau before him.