André Laperrière

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHenri André•Laperrière
Used nameAndré•Laperrière
Born12 June 1925 in Montréal, Québec (CAN)
Died8 March 2015 in Montréal, Québec (CAN)
Measurements189 cm / 79 kg
AffiliationsRCAF Flyers, Ottawa (CAN)
NOC Canada
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

The son of a streetcar operator in Montreal, Henri-André Laperriere played ice hockey with the Verdun Terriers from 1944-1945 in the Quebec Junior Hockey League before beginning a run with the University of Montreal Carabins that would last until 1950. During that time his name was suggested by Frank Selke, then general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, as a possible candidate to join the Canadian delegation to the 1948 Winter Olympics as a defenseman. When officially invited by Sidney Dawes, then president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, he accepted, and was immediately instated as a private in the Royal Canadian Air Force so that he could be a member of their team, the Flyers. He played in eight games in the tournament, scoring one goal in a 15-0 shutout against Poland. In the final eight seconds of the match against Sweden he acted as a goalkeeper when Murray Dowey was given a penalty. The Canadian team took the gold medal and Laperriere returned to the University of Montreal, despite an offer to play with the New York Rangers. He finished his degree and retired from active play after the 1949-1950 season, after winning the Canadian Intercollegiate Hockey Union championship in his final two years. He then began a career as a graphic designer and served as President of the Outremont Hockey Association for five years after his son began playing hockey. From 1970-1982 he served on the Outremont City Council. He stopped skating in 1987, but continued to ski, cycle and play tennis for many years. As a member of his gold medal-winning Olympic team, he was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) CAN André Laperrière
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Canada 1 Gold

Special Notes