Corey Perry

Early Life and Junior Career

Corey Perry was born on May 16, 1985, in New Liskeard, Ontario, to parents Geoff and Nancy Perry and is the older brother of Adam Perry. He learned to skate at age two alongside his younger brother, and the family moved to Haileybury and later to Peterborough, Ontario, when Corey was ten years old. Growing up, his favourite NHL team was the Montreal Canadiens, a club he would later play for in his professional career. He developed his skills in the Peterborough Minor Petes AAA organization, leading his team to victory in the inaugural OHL Cup Bantam AAA championship in 2001. Perry's standout minor hockey career, which included a 73-goal season in 67 games, led to his selection fifth overall by the London Knights in the 2001 OHL Priority Draft.

Perry made an immediate impact in the Ontario Hockey League, recording 59 points in 60 games during his rookie season. His draft year saw him improve to 78 points, leading to his selection 28th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2003-04 season, Perry broke out with 40 goals and 73 assists for 113 points in just 66 games, becoming the first Knight since Jason Allison in 1994 to reach the 100-point mark. During that season, the Ducks nearly traded Perry to the Edmonton Oilers for Mike Comrie, but the deal collapsed when Comrie refused to return a portion of his salary to facilitate the trade. Perry finished the season with the Ducks' AHL affiliate in Cincinnati and was named an OHL First-Team All-Star. His junior career culminated in a spectacular 2004-05 season where he posted a junior career-high 130 regular season points in 60 games and added 38 more in the playoffs, leading the Knights to both the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions and the Memorial Cup national championship, where they shut out Sidney Crosby's Rimouski Océanic in the final.

Anaheim Ducks: Stanley Cup and Hart Trophy

Perry made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks in the 2005-06 season, scoring his first career goal against the Edmonton Oilers on October 10, 2005, and recording a point in each of his first four career games. He was sent down to the American Hockey League early in the year alongside Ryan Getzlaf, combining for 67 points in 36 games with the Portland Pirates before being recalled for the 2006 playoffs. His sophomore season in 2006-07 saw him play all 82 games, tallying 44 points while forming the "Kid Line" with Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner. Perry was instrumental in the Ducks' first Stanley Cup championship that spring, contributing six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 21 playoff games. He assisted on a goal by Getzlaf in the Cup Final opener against Ottawa and scored a goal on Ray Emery in game three, also assisting on another Getzlaf goal in that contest. In the Cup-clinching game five, Perry scored a goal and had an assist on a goal by Rob Niedermayer.

The winger's offensive game continued to grow, earning him his first NHL All-Star Game selection in 2008 as an injury replacement, joining three other Ducks on the Western Conference squad. He signed a five-year, $26.625 million contract extension that summer, identical to the deal Ryan Getzlaf had signed. The 2008-09 season was a breakout campaign where Perry led the Ducks with 32 goals and 72 points, recording a career-high five points in a game against Vancouver on November 1. He was suspended for four games in January 2009 for elbowing Claude Giroux. Perry's career year arrived in the 2010-11 season when he captured the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy by leading the NHL with 50 goals and finished third in league scoring with 98 points, behind Daniel Sedin and Martin St. Louis. He recorded his first career hat-trick on December 12, 2010, against Minnesota, scoring at even strength, shorthanded, and on the power play. Perry added two more hat-tricks that season, with his third on April 6 giving him 50 goals, making him the third Duck after Teemu Selänne and Paul Kariya to reach that mark. His late-season scoring surge propelled the Ducks into the playoffs, and at season's end he was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player, becoming the first Duck to win the award.

Perry later signed an eight-year, $69 million contract extension in March 2013. He enjoyed another elite season in 2013-14, scoring 43 goals and 82 points, finishing as the runner-up for the Rocket Richard Trophy behind Alexander Ovechkin's 51 goals. In his later years with Anaheim, Perry's goal production declined from 34 in 2015-16 to 19 and 17 in the following two seasons. On September 26, 2018, he was ruled out for five months after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus and MCL injury. He made his season debut on February 2, 2019, in a 9-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets and finished with 10 points in 31 games. On June 19, 2019, after 14 seasons, the Ducks bought out the remaining two years of his contract, with teammate Ryan Getzlaf later noting the move freed Perry from the expectations of a high salary and allowed him to play without being judged on his cap number.

Journeyman Years and Historic Stanley Cup Final Appearances

Following his departure from Anaheim, Corey Perry began a series of one-year contracts that saw him become a regular in the Stanley Cup Final. He signed a bonus-laden one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2019. That season, he played his 1,000th career NHL game on November 13 against the Calgary Flames, becoming the 340th player in NHL history to hit the milestone. During the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, he was issued a game misconduct and later suspended for five games for elbowing Ryan Ellis, forfeiting $40,322.60 in salary. Perry contributed five goals and 16 assists in 57 games before the pandemic ended the regular season. In the 2020 playoffs held in the Edmonton bubble, Perry assisted on Jamie Oleksiak's game-winning goal in the first round against Calgary and helped the Stars advance past Colorado and Vegas, providing the screen for Denis Gurianov's Western Conference final-clinching goal. The Stars reached the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay, where Perry scored the overtime winner in Game 5 to force a sixth game, though Dallas ultimately lost the series four games to two.

Perry then signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Montreal Canadiens for the 2020-21 season. He helped the Canadiens reach the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, marking his second consecutive Final appearance with a second different team. Montreal again lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a notable move, Perry joined the Lightning the following season, reaching the Final for a third straight year in 2022. With this loss, he became the first player in NHL history to lose three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with three different teams. After a stint with the Chicago Blackhawks, Perry signed with the Edmonton Oilers, reaching the Final once more in 2024 and 2025. These appearances made him the first player ever to reach the Final with five different franchises and the first to lose four Finals with four different teams.

In the 2025-26 season, Perry began with the Los Angeles Kings, recording 10 goals and 23 points in 37 appearances before being traded back to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline. An unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026, Perry decided to return for his 22nd NHL season, re-signing with the Los Angeles Kings. At age 41, he cited his continued love for the game, feeling physically capable, and his family's affinity for Los Angeles as key reasons for his return. He noted that players in the 2026 NHL Draft class had not been born when he won his first Stanley Cup in 2007, and he explained that while it is harder to get up in the morning to train as he gets older, he still feels young and is motivated by having fun playing the game.

International Career and Triple Gold Club

Corey Perry has enjoyed a decorated international career representing Canada, beginning with Team Ontario at the 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. His first major success came at the 2003 IIHF World U-18 Championships, where he won gold. At the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship, Perry tallied two goals and five assists for seven points in six games en route to a gold medal. Perry made his Olympic debut at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, contributing four goals and an assist over seven games as Canada won gold on home ice. He returned to defend that title at the Sochi 2014 Olympics, earning a second gold medal.

Perry's international achievements culminated in 2016 when he captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship in Russia. This victory made him a member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club, having now won the Stanley Cup (2007), Olympic gold (2010, 2014), and a World Championship gold (2016). Later in 2016, he was a member of Team Canada for the World Cup of Hockey, scoring two goals to help secure the gold medal. He is only the second player, after Scott Niedermayer, to combine Triple Gold membership with a World Junior gold, a Memorial Cup win, and a World Cup of Hockey championship. Perry was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012 as part of the 2010 Olympic hockey team.

Corey Perry has a complete international resume for Team Canada. He won a gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championships during his major junior career. Perry also won gold medals with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He became a member of the Triple Gold Club after captaining Canada to gold at the 2016 World Championship, in addition to previously winning the Stanley Cup and the Olympic gold medal. Perry is only the second player, joining Scott Niedermayer, to combine Triple Gold membership with gold at the World Junior Championships, a Memorial Cup win, and a World Cup of Hockey win.

• 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Team Ontario)
• 2003 IIHF World U-18 Championships: Gold Medal
• 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship: Gold Medal (7 points in 6 games)
• 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver: Gold Medal (5 points in 7 games)
• 2010 IIHF World Championship: 7th place
• 2012 IIHF World Championship: 5th place
• 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi: Gold Medal
• 2016 IIHF World Championship: Gold Medal (Team Captain)
• 2016 World Cup of Hockey: Gold Medal

This collection of titles across all levels of international hockey solidifies Perry's status as one of Canada's most accomplished players of his generation. He won the Memorial Cup with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights and a gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championships during his major junior career. Perry won gold medals with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He also captained Canada to gold at the 2016 World Championship to complete his membership in the Triple Gold Club.

Playing Style, Personal Life and Legacy

Corey Perry's playing style is defined by a rare combination of elite goal-scoring skill and a relentless, antagonistic edge. His ability to find the net, particularly from in close and in high-pressure situations, earned him the affectionate nickname "Scorey Perry" during his peak years. Conversely, his penchant for agitation, physical play, and drawing penalties from opponents led to the less flattering moniker "the Worm." This abrasive style made him a constant presence in front of the net and a difficult player to compete against, contributing to his longevity and playoff value. His style also led to several suspensions, including a four-game ban in 2009 for elbowing Claude Giroux and a five-game suspension in 2020 for elbowing Ryan Ellis in the Winter Classic, and another four-game suspension in 2013 for a hit to the head of Jason Zucker.

Off the ice, Perry is known for his intense training regimen, with videos showing him working out at 6 a.m. at the Speroper Performance Training gym to prepare for seasons. He supports the charity Wellspring London, which offers psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and informational support to individuals and families living with cancer. His favourite TV shows include Prison Break and Homeland, and he enjoys camping. Perry has a son named Griffin, and he has expressed how meaningful it is that his son can now understand and be part of his NHL career, noting his son knows all the stats and the young players coming into the league. Statistically, Perry's career is marked by consistent production and remarkable durability until his later years. His 2010-11 Hart and Rocket Richard Trophy season is his individual pinnacle. He ranks third all-time in NHL playoff games played with 244 appearances, trailing only Chris Chelios (266) and Nicklas Lidstrom (263), a reflection of his teams' frequent postseason success.

Beyond statistics, his legacy is intertwined with his unique and somewhat infamous record of Stanley Cup Final appearances. While his lone championship came early with Anaheim, his subsequent journeys to the Final with Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay, and Edmonton show his reputation as a player who helps teams in the playoffs, even in a supporting role later in his career. As he continues into his 22nd season, Perry's role has evolved into that of a veteran leader and depth contributor. His work ethic, exemplified by off-season training videos and a stated commitment to preparing his body, has been crucial to extending his career. His journey from a top draft pick and league MVP to a valued veteran on multiple contenders illustrates a significant adaptability and enduring passion for hockey that has kept him in the league for over two decades, with his career beginning before many current draft picks were born.

Career Statistics and Milestones

The following table outlines Corey Perry's regular season scoring statistics over key segments of his NHL career. It highlights his peak offensive years with Anaheim and his later contributions as a journeyman. The data reflects his goal-scoring prowess in his prime, such as when he led the NHL with 50 goals in the 2010-11 season. His career totals include playing for several teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Questions about Corey Perry

How many Stanley Cups has Corey Perry won?

Corey Perry has won the Stanley Cup once. He captured the championship in 2007 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. Since then, he has reached the Final five more times with four different teams, the Dallas Stars (2020), Montreal Canadiens (2021), Tampa Bay Lightning (2022), and Edmonton Oilers (2024, 2025), but has not won another Cup, making his total championships one. His six Final appearances highlight his consistent ability to join teams that make deep playoff runs, though it has been nearly 20 years since his only championship victory.

What teams has Corey Perry played for?

Corey Perry has played for seven NHL franchises. He spent the first 14 seasons of his career with the Anaheim Ducks, from 2005 to 2019. Since 2019, he has played for the Dallas Stars (2019-20), Montreal Canadiens (2020-21), Tampa Bay Lightning (2021-22), Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and the Los Angeles Kings. He was traded from the Kings back to the Lightning during the 2025-26 season and subsequently re-signed with the Kings for the 2026-27 season, marking his second stint in Los Angeles. His career path since leaving Anaheim has been defined by consecutive one-year contracts.

What is Corey Perry's connection to the Triple Gold Club?

Corey Perry is a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club, an honour for players who have won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a IIHF World Championship gold medal. He won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014, and completed the trifecta by captaining Canada to a World Championship gold in 2016. He is only the second player, after Scott Niedermayer, to also have a World Junior gold (2005), a Memorial Cup win (2005), and a World Cup of Hockey title (2016). This makes his collection of international and club honours exceptionally complete.

What individual NHL awards has Corey Perry won?

Corey Perry's most significant individual NHL awards came in the 2010-11 season. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for leading the NHL with 50 goals. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team that year and again in 2013-14. Perry has been selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game on four occasions (2008 as an injury replacement, 2011, 2012, and 2016). In the 2011 All-Star Skills Competition, he won the Shootout Elimination Challenge. He also set a Ducks franchise record for the second-fastest goal to start a game at 16 seconds.

What unique NHL record does Corey Perry hold?

Corey Perry holds several unique NHL records related to Stanley Cup Final appearances. He is the first and only player in league history to reach the Final with five different franchises (Anaheim, Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Edmonton). He is also the first player to lose four Stanley Cup Final series with four different teams (Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Edmonton). He was the first player to lose three consecutive Finals with three different teams from 2020 to 2022. He also set a Ducks franchise record by scoring the second-fastest goal to start a game, 16 seconds in, on January 4, 2008, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Is Corey Perry still playing in the NHL and why does he continue?

Yes, Corey Perry is still an active NHL player. In the summer of 2026, he signed a contract to return for his 22nd NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings. At age 41, he will be one of the oldest players in the league for the 2026-27 season, trailing only Colorado Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns. Perry has stated he continues to play because he loves the game, still feels physically capable and young, and enjoys having his family, particularly his son Griffin who now understands the NHL, be part of his career. He also cited his family's love for Los Angeles, the Kings organization, and his belief in the team's potential to make a playoff push as reasons for his return.

Sources and further reading

• Corey Perry (Wikipedia)
• Perry on returning for 22nd NHL season: 'I'm still having fun' (tsn.ca)
• Corey Perry, Team Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee (olympic.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.