Yanic Perreault
Encyclopedia
Yanic Perreault is a retired professional ice hockey
player who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League
.
where he was one of the best offensive players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
, racking up a total of 185 points in his most productive season. He was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs
in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
.
Carrying a reputation as too slow a skater to succeed in the NHL, Perreault played three years for Toronto's minor league farm team in Newfoundland
. Perrault led the St. John's Maple Leafs to a seventh game in the Calder Cup
finals in the 1992 season and to first place finishes the following two seasons; his 132 goals and 276 points became in that span, and remain, career records for the Leafs' American Hockey League
franchise.
Perrault made his NHL debut in that third season
with the Leafs, showing some flash in spot duty, before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings
for a fourth round pick
in 1994
. He spent most of that season with the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Phoenix Roadrunners
, scoring 51 goals to lead the team.
The following year was his breakout season, making the NHL for good with the Kings, where he became the team's lead centre after Wayne Gretzky
was traded late in the year amidst a full-scale reorganization of the team; Perreault scored 25 goals to finish second on the squad. He played three more seasons in Los Angeles before being sent back to Toronto in 1999
, for Jason Podollan
and a third round selection. In 2001, Perreault signed with the Montreal Canadiens
as a free agent, remaining three seasons before sitting out the lockout year of 2005, after which he signed with the Nashville Predators
, with whom he scored 57 points, his NHL career high.
He signed after that single season with the Phoenix Coyotes
and was selected to play in the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. On February 27, 2007, Perreault, packaged with a fifth round draft pick, was traded from the Coyotes to Toronto for defencemen Brendan Bell
and a second round draft pick, marking his third round of duty with the Maple Leafs.
Perreault signed with the Chicago Blackhawks
as a free agent on July 1, 2007; his scoring skills diminishing entirely, however, he retired at season's end.
Perreault is often considered one of the best faceoff men in recent NHL history.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Playing career
Perreault started his hockey career for the Trois-Rivières DraveursTrois-Rivières Draveurs
The Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969...
where he was one of the best offensive players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, racking up a total of 185 points in his most productive season. He was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...
.
Carrying a reputation as too slow a skater to succeed in the NHL, Perreault played three years for Toronto's minor league farm team in Newfoundland
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
. Perrault led the St. John's Maple Leafs to a seventh game in the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
finals in the 1992 season and to first place finishes the following two seasons; his 132 goals and 276 points became in that span, and remain, career records for the Leafs' American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
franchise.
Perrault made his NHL debut in that third season
1993-94 NHL season
-Final:The Final pitted the New York Rangers, seeking to win their first Cup since 1940, versus the Vancouver Canucks, looking for their first-ever Cup win. The series was hard-fought and went the full seven games. The Rangers took a 3–1 series lead, but the Canucks won the next two to force a game...
with the Leafs, showing some flash in spot duty, before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for a fourth round pick
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
in 1994
1994-95 NHL season
The 1994–95 NHL season was the 78th regular season of the National Hockey League. The teams played a shortened season, due to a lockout of the players by the owners. In addition, the NHL All-Star Game, which had been scheduled to take place January 20–21, 1995 in San Jose, CA, was canceled...
. He spent most of that season with the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Phoenix Roadrunners
Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)
The Phoenix Roadrunners were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. The team was housed at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team played in the IHL from 1989 to 1997. The IHL Roadrunners were named for a World Hockey Association team of the same name...
, scoring 51 goals to lead the team.
The following year was his breakout season, making the NHL for good with the Kings, where he became the team's lead centre after Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
was traded late in the year amidst a full-scale reorganization of the team; Perreault scored 25 goals to finish second on the squad. He played three more seasons in Los Angeles before being sent back to Toronto in 1999
1998-99 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The teams split the first two games, held in Dallas, then split the following two games in Buffalo. In the fifth game, Dallas shut out Buffalo to put the Sabres on the brink of elimination. Game 6 was held in Buffalo and it went to triple-overtime before being decided on Brett...
, for Jason Podollan
Jason Podollan
Jason Podollan is a Canadian former ice hockey player.Podollan was drafted 31st overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers from the Western Hockey League's Spokane Chiefs. He played in 41 games in the National Hockey League with the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los...
and a third round selection. In 2001, Perreault signed with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
as a free agent, remaining three seasons before sitting out the lockout year of 2005, after which he signed with the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, with whom he scored 57 points, his NHL career high.
He signed after that single season with the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
and was selected to play in the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. On February 27, 2007, Perreault, packaged with a fifth round draft pick, was traded from the Coyotes to Toronto for defencemen Brendan Bell
Brendan Bell
Brendan Bell is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman currently signed with the New York Rangers.-Junior:Prior to being drafted by the NHL, Bell attended High School at St. Pius X High School . He grew up a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bell played in the CJHL for the Ottawa Jr. Senators where he was...
and a second round draft pick, marking his third round of duty with the Maple Leafs.
Perreault signed with the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
as a free agent on July 1, 2007; his scoring skills diminishing entirely, however, he retired at season's end.
Perreault is often considered one of the best faceoff men in recent NHL history.
Honors and awards
- 19891988–89 QMJHL seasonThe 1988–89 QMJHL season was the 20th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL first awards the end-of-season honours of the "Rookie All-star team" to first year players....
QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
- Michel Bergeron TrophyMichel Bergeron TrophyThe Michel Bergeron Trophy is awarded annually to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's "Offensive Rookie of the Year." From 1969 to 1980, the trophy was awarded to the QMHL's "Overall Rookie of the Year." The Bergeron trophy's counterpart since 1980, is the Raymond Lagacé Trophy, awarded to the...
(Offensive Rookie of the Year) - 1989 Canadian Major Junior - Rookie of the Year
- 19911990–91 QMJHL seasonThe 1990–91 QMJHL season was the 22nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the St-Clair Group Plaque, awarded to the "Marketing Director of the Year." Dilio and Lebel divisions are restored as the league adds an expansion franchise in Beauport,...
QMJHL - First All-Star Team - 1991 QMJHL - Frank J. Selke Memorial TrophyFrank J. Selke Memorial TrophyThe Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The award began in the 1969–70 season as a team trophy awarded to the league's West Division champions. It has been awarded in its present form since 1970–71 after just...
(Most Gentlemanly Player) - 1991 QMJHL - Jean Beliveau TrophyJean Béliveau TrophyThe Jean Béliveau Trophy is awarded to the top regular season scorer of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The award is named after Quebec native Jean Beliveau, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.-Winners:-External links:* List of trophy winners....
(Leading scorer) - 1991 QMJHL - Michel Briere Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
- 2007 NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
- Played in NHL All-Star Game
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | Montreal L'est Cantonniers | QAAA | 42 | 70 | 57 | 127 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 1988–89 QMJHL season The 1988–89 QMJHL season was the 20th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL first awards the end-of-season honours of the "Rookie All-star team" to first year players.... |
Trois-Rivières Draveurs Trois-Rivières Draveurs The Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969... |
QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
70 | 53 | 55 | 108 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 1989–90 QMJHL season The 1989–90 QMJHL season was the 21st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates five new awards for accomplishments during the season. Shell Canada sponsored two Shell Cup "Player of the Year" awards, one each for offensive and defensive players.... |
Trois-Rivières Draveurs | QMJHL | 63 | 51 | 63 | 114 | 75 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 19 | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 QMJHL season The 1990–91 QMJHL season was the 22nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the St-Clair Group Plaque, awarded to the "Marketing Director of the Year." Dilio and Lebel divisions are restored as the league adds an expansion franchise in Beauport,... |
Trois-Rivières Draveurs | QMJHL | 67 | 87 | 98 | 185 | 103 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
St. John's Maple Leafs St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
62 | 38 | 38 | 76 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
St. John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 79 | 49 | 46 | 95 | 56 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
St. John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 62 | 45 | 60 | 105 | 38 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 14 | ||
| 1993–94 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
13 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Phoenix Roadrunners Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL) The Phoenix Roadrunners were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. The team was housed at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team played in the IHL from 1989 to 1997. The IHL Roadrunners were named for a World Hockey Association team of the same name... |
IHL | 68 | 51 | 48 | 99 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 26 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 78 | 25 | 24 | 49 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 41 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 79 | 28 | 20 | 48 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1998–99 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 64 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 12 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 1999–00 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 58 | 18 | 27 | 45 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 76 | 24 | 28 | 52 | 52 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 82 | 27 | 29 | 56 | 40 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 73 | 24 | 22 | 46 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 69 | 16 | 15 | 31 | 40 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 | Did not play | — | See 2004–05 NHL lockout | |||||||||||
| 2005–06 | Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 69 | 22 | 35 | 57 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 49 | 19 | 14 | 33 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 17 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL | 53 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 859 | 247 | 269 | 516 | 402 | 54 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 18 | ||||
| AHL totals | 203 | 132 | 144 | 276 | 113 | 36 | 23 | 19 | 42 | 20 | ||||
| QMJHL totals | 200 | 191 | 216 | 407 | 226 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 25 | ||||