Oilers' Corey Perry reveals he nearly retired six years ago

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Liam McCormick
September 7, 2024 (6:45 PM)

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Corey Perry is now one of the oldest players in the NHL at 39 years old, and has been desperately chasing another Stanley Cup victory in his final years - but he nearly retired years ago.

In a new interview with the Missin' Curfew Podcast, Perry said that he felt his career would already be over had he stayed with the Anaheim Ducks. After being drafted by the team in the first round in 2003, Perry played 14 seasons in Anaheim before the team let him go.

»[The Anaheim Ducks] decided to go in a different way, and at the end of the day it's probably helped my career. To say the least. Thats why I'm probably still playing. If I stayed in Anaheim, I don't think I'd still be playing.»
- Corey Perry

Perry said it was extremely hard to hear his only team say that they needed to move on from him, and it lit a fire underneath him that's extended his career by several years. Perry had won a Rocket Richard and Hart Trophy with the Ducks early in his career. By the time they let him go in 2019, Perry had only scored 6 goals and 10 points in 31 games.

Since then, Perry's career has been completely revitalized in his constant chase of another Stanley Cup. With the Oilers, Lightning, Canadiens, and Stars, Perry has played in 4 of the last 5 years. Some fans have joked that he's cursed now, but clearly Perry is bringing something that contributes to success in the playoffs.

Heading into his age 40 season, the Oilers signed him to a one year contract for $1.15M, and it may be his last before retirement. If this is the last year for the pest-like veteran, hopefully the Oilers group can send him off with one more Stanley Cup.