Philadelphia Flyers Laperriere Retires

Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere has retired from the NHL, more than two years after playing his last game.



Laperriere sat out the past two seasons because of post-concussion syndrome resulting from getting hit in the right eye with a puck during the 2010 playoffs. He officially retired Tuesday because his contract expired and he was able to come off the salary cap.

The 38-year-old Laperriere was hit in the face in Game 5 of a first-round series against New Jersey during Philadelphia’s run to the Stanley Cup finals. He suffered a concussion and fractured orbital bone, but returned a little more than a month later to play in the final two rounds.

Laperriere couldn’t overcome his concussion-related symptoms the next year and spent the past two seasons mentoring draft picks and prospects.