David Perron facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Perron
Perron with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018
Born	(1988-05-28) May 28, 1988 (age 37) Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Ottawa Senators St. Louis Blues Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins Anaheim Ducks Vegas Golden Knights Detroit Red Wings
NHL Draft	26th overall, 2007 St. Louis Blues
Playing career	2007–present

David Perron (born May 28, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left wing for the Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League (NHL).

David grew up in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He played junior hockey for the Lewiston Maineiacs. He helped them win the 2006 President's Cup. Because of his great play, the St. Louis Blues picked him in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 26th player chosen overall.

Perron started his pro career with the Blues. Later, he played for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks. He then returned to St. Louis. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights picked him in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He had his best season with them. After that, he went back to St. Louis for a third time. There, he won the Stanley Cup in 2019.

Playing Career

Early Hockey Days

David Perron was born on May 28, 1988, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2001 and 2002. Even though he was good, he was not picked in the junior league draft at first.

He then played for the Saint-Jérôme Panthers. He scored 69 points in 51 games. Still, no NHL teams interviewed him, and he was not drafted in 2006.

The next year, Perron had an amazing first season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He led the Lewiston Maineiacs in scoring. He had 39 goals and 83 points in 70 games. NHL scouts started to notice him. He helped the Maineiacs win their first President's Cup. He also played in the Memorial Cup.

Becoming a Pro Player

St. Louis Blues

Perron in 2010

The St. Louis Blues picked Perron in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 26th player chosen. He told reporters he wanted to make the team right away. He signed a three-year contract with the Blues in September 2007. The team's president, John Davidson, said Perron had "tremendous creativity."

Perron started the season with the Blues. He was one of the youngest players in Blues history to make his NHL debut. On November 3, 2007, he scored his first NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. He finished his first season with 13 goals and 27 points. He was also chosen for the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game.

Perron in 2010

Perron rejoined the Blues for the 2008–09 season. He scored three goals in a pre-season game. Team leaders praised his hard work. By January, he led the team with 24 assists. He also earned a spot on the YoungStars Game sophomore team. Coach Andy Murray often put Perron with other young players. They were called the Kid Line. He ended the season third in team scoring. He helped the Blues reach the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Perron started the 2009–10 season well. He scored his first regular season hat trick on November 10, 2009. A few days later, he scored a goal that fans voted as one of the best moments of the season. He finished his third season with a career-high 20 goals in 82 games.

In 2010, Perron signed a new two-year contract with the Blues. He started his fourth season strong, scoring five goals in his first ten games. But on November 4, he got a serious concussion. He missed 13 months recovering from the injury. He returned to play in December 2011. Perron helped the Blues improve their standings. He finished the season with 42 points in 57 games. The Blues made the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Blues played the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Perron scored the winning goal in Game 4. This goal was voted the Best Moment of the season by Blues fans. After losing in the next round, Perron signed a new four-year contract. In his final season with the team, he scored 10 goals in 48 games. He sometimes had less ice time under the new coach.

Edmonton Oilers

Perron with the Edmonton Oilers in September 2014

On July 10, 2013, Perron was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers coach liked his competitive spirit. The general manager planned to use Perron on the left wing. Perron played well in pre-season games. He started the regular season strong. He tied for the team lead in goals in his first season with the Oilers. He was chosen for Team Canada for the 2014 IIHF World Championship but could not play due to an injury.

In his second year with Edmonton, Perron started late because of a hip injury. The Oilers had a tough start to the season. Perron openly shared his frustration about the team's losses.

Pittsburgh Penguins

On January 2, 2015, Perron was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He said he wanted to play for a winning team. At the time of the trade, he had 19 points in 38 games. He scored a goal in his first game with the Penguins. He scored five goals in his next six games. However, his scoring slowed down later in the season. He played with a rib injury during the playoffs.

Before the 2015–16 season, Perron trained hard. He felt much better and was ready to play. He was placed on the Penguins' top line with Sidney Crosby. He also changed his jersey number back to 57.

Anaheim Ducks

On January 16, 2016, Perron was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. He had 16 points in 43 games with Pittsburgh. Playing with Ryan Getzlaf, Perron scored 14 points in his first 15 games with the Ducks. He also led the league in Plus–minus. He suffered a shoulder injury in March. He missed several weeks but returned for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

In the playoffs, Perron continued to play on a top line. He scored his first playoff goal in Game 5. The Ducks lost in Game 7. After the season, Perron became a free agent.

Return to St. Louis

On July 1, 2016, Perron signed a two-year contract to return to the Blues. The team's general manager said Perron was a "much more mature player." Perron also met with the Montreal Canadiens, but chose to return to St. Louis.

Perron started the 2016–17 season with the Blues. He scored his third career hat trick on October 23. The Blues made the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. They won their first series but lost in the second round. Perron sometimes had less ice time during the playoffs due to penalties.

Vegas Golden Knights

Perron with the Golden Knights during their first season.

On June 21, 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights picked Perron in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Experts praised the Golden Knights for choosing him. They said he was a player who could score goals.

Perron started the 2017–18 season with the Golden Knights. He had an injury in November but returned in December. Despite the injury, Perron had his best season ever. He scored 66 points in 70 games. The Golden Knights made the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Perron said every player on the team wanted to prove themselves.

During the playoffs, Perron scored nine points in 15 games. The Golden Knights made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their very first season! They played against the Washington Capitals. The Golden Knights lost the series in five games. After the season, Perron chose to return to St. Louis for a third time. He called his season with the Golden Knights the "best year of his life."

Third Time with St. Louis

For the third time, Perron returned to the St. Louis Blues. The coach was happy to have him back. At the start of the season, Perron scored his fourth career hat trick. In January 2019, he had an upper-body injury. He returned to play in March. He helped the Blues make the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. They beat the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks to reach the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals.

Perron during the 2019 Stanley Cup parade

In the Stanley Cup Finals, the series was tied 2–2 against the Boston Bruins. Perron scored the winning goal in Game 5. The Blues went on to win the series in seven games. It was the first time Perron won the Stanley Cup! He brought the Cup to his hometown of Sherbrooke to celebrate.

During the shorter 2019–20 season, Perron scored his fifth career hat trick. He was chosen as a "Last Man Standing" option for the 2020 National Hockey League All-Star Game. Fans could vote him into the game. Perron was playing some of his best hockey. On January 11, 2020, he was voted into the All-Star Game. He competed in a challenge there. The season was later paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Perron was one of the top scorers for the Blues.

On May 3, 2021, Perron reached several milestones in one game. He played his 900th NHL game and his 600th game as a St. Louis Blue. He also got his 600th career point and 400th point with St. Louis.

Detroit Red Wings

On July 13, 2022, Perron signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This was the first time he signed an NHL contract with a team other than the Blues.

Ottawa Senators

On July 1, 2024, Perron signed a two-year contract with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent.

Personal Life

David Perron is married to Vanessa Vandal, who is an interior designer. They have two children. Vanessa was also on a TV show called Hockey Wives. The family lives in Chesterfield, Missouri. They have two dogs, Jack and Stella, and a cat named Alice. In the summer, Perron enjoys spending time on his boat at the lake.

Perron also helps with different charities. In 2016, he started the David Perron Attitude Hockey Foundation. This hockey tournament helps young players. He also supports the Athletes for Animals Foundation. In 2018, he helped organize a charity tournament with fellow player Kris Letang.

Career Statistics

Awards and Honours