Citizen Lappy
Laperriere applies for U.S. Citizenship after 16 years
Sunday, 05.22.2011 / 11:59 AM
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Ian Laperriere has certainly seen his share of the United States in his professional career. The 37-year-old has played in St. Louis, New York, Los Angeles, Colorado and Philadelphia.
He’s even made stops in Peoria, Ill. and Worcester, Mass. during a brief American Hockey League stint.
So Laperriere figured it was time.
Along with his wife, Magali, Laperriere applied for U.S. citizenship this past week.
“We love the way of life here in the states,” said Laperriere. “We’ve been here for 16 years and our kids are American, so that’s pretty much it.”
Perhaps Lappy gained inspiration to follow in the footsteps of the Broad Street Bullies. Early in the 2010-11 season, Bob Kelly, Bill Clement, Dave Schultz and Orest Kindrachuk completed their long journey to become U.S. citizens.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Laperriere (and wife) will keep their Canadian citizenship as Canada allows you to hold dual citizenship.
The process will take anywhere from three to six months to complete and involves a series of tests, to which Laperriere is counting on his oldest son for some instruction.
“That part I’m nervous, but I’m going to study a lot and I’m going to ask my nine-year old a lot of questions. He’s a history buff so I’m sure I’ll be fine. I know most of those questions, but when you get into the government part of it, I don’t know too much, but I’ll learn and I’ll be ready for the test.”
Because they were born in the U.S., Laperriere’s sons, Tristan and Zachary are already citizens.
During his time in Philadelphia, the Laperriere family have enjoyed the historic landmarks the city has to offer. During the off-season they often hold a particular interest in traveling to places of historical significance, having already visited Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, Pa., and Alcatraz in San Francisco.
In a few months, Laperriere will continue to visit more landmarks throughout the country and even across seas, but this time his passport will have an American citizen stamped on it.
He’s even made stops in Peoria, Ill. and Worcester, Mass. during a brief American Hockey League stint.
So Laperriere figured it was time.
Along with his wife, Magali, Laperriere applied for U.S. citizenship this past week.
“We love the way of life here in the states,” said Laperriere. “We’ve been here for 16 years and our kids are American, so that’s pretty much it.”
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| From left to right: Johan Backlund, Ian Laperriere and Jim McCrossin at the edge of a Gettysburg battlefield |
Perhaps Lappy gained inspiration to follow in the footsteps of the Broad Street Bullies. Early in the 2010-11 season, Bob Kelly, Bill Clement, Dave Schultz and Orest Kindrachuk completed their long journey to become U.S. citizens.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Laperriere (and wife) will keep their Canadian citizenship as Canada allows you to hold dual citizenship.
The process will take anywhere from three to six months to complete and involves a series of tests, to which Laperriere is counting on his oldest son for some instruction.
“That part I’m nervous, but I’m going to study a lot and I’m going to ask my nine-year old a lot of questions. He’s a history buff so I’m sure I’ll be fine. I know most of those questions, but when you get into the government part of it, I don’t know too much, but I’ll learn and I’ll be ready for the test.”
During his time in Philadelphia, the Laperriere family have enjoyed the historic landmarks the city has to offer. During the off-season they often hold a particular interest in traveling to places of historical significance, having already visited Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, Pa., and Alcatraz in San Francisco.
In a few months, Laperriere will continue to visit more landmarks throughout the country and even across seas, but this time his passport will have an American citizen stamped on it.
