Sundogs Veteran Defenseman Dan Laperriere Retires, Assumes Full-Time Assistant Coach Position
Published on June 19, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The 2008 Central Hockey League Ray Miron President's Cup Champion Arizona Sundogs today announced that player/assistant coach and 16-year pro Dan Laperriere will retire and join Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro behind the bench as a full-time assistant coach.
"After playing professionally for 16 seasons, I've decided to retire from the sport of hockey as a player and begin my coaching career," said Laperriere. "Coaching is something I knew I would want to pursue once my playing days came to an end. Hockey has been good to me as a player and I'm looking forward to giving back to the game as a coach. I've gained valuable knowledge and experience as a player/assistant coach in my two years with the Sundogs and I'm excited to join Marco behind the bench and help guide this team as a full-time coach."
Laperriere, 39, averaged nearly a point-per-game in his two seasons as a player with the Sundogs, tallying 108 points (29g/79a) and 68 penalty minutes (PIM) in 121 regular season games. In 31 playoff contests, the Laval, Quebec, native registered 31 points (7g/24a) and 12 PIM. During the 2007-08 campaign, Laperriere finished sixth in scoring among CHL defensemen with 51 points (18g/33a) in 61 appearances. His 18 goals were one shy of his career-high set during the 1994-95 season while with the Peoria Rivermen of the former International Hockey League. In the 2008 playoffs he helped guide the Sundogs to their first-ever CHL title, finishing second among defensemen and fifth overall with 18 points (3g/15a) in 17 games.
During the Sundogs inaugural season, the 6-foot, 200-pound blue-liner finished fifth among defensemen in scoring and set career-highs in both points (57) and assists (46).
Laperriere was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (93rd overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft after four years with St. Lawrence University of the NCAA. He was a Hobey Baker Finalist during his senior season at St. Lawrence and still holds records for most assists in a season (45) and career points (128), points in a season (53) and career assists (106) among defenseman at the university.
The son of NHL Hall of Famer Jacques Laperriere appeared in 48 NHL games over four seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators, tallying two goals, five assists and 27 PIM. In 854 total professional games, Laperriere totaled 167 goals and 424 assists for 591 points and 409 PIM.
"We brought Dan in as a player/assistant coach prior to our inaugural season knowing that he would one day help guide our club as a full-time coach," said Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro. "He's played at the top professional levels in both Europe and North America and has built a knowledge of the game both on and off the ice that our younger players can learn from. I'm confident that his leadership skills behind the bench will be just as strong as they were on the ice."
Central Hockey League Stories from June 19, 2008
- Sundogs Veteran Defenseman Dan Laperriere Retires, Assumes Full-Time Assistant Coach Position - Arizona Sundogs
- Blazers Sign Bauman and Sawyer - Oklahoma City Blazers
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