Flyers forward Ian Laperriere officially announces retirement

PHILADELPHIA - 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.