Mathieu Perreault

Lore & Background

Perreault played three seasons of major junior hockey with the Acadie–Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL, winning the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the league's top point-producer in his final year and being named to the Second-Team All-Star. He began his professional career in 2007–08 with the Hershey Bears, helping them win the 2009 Calder Cup. After several seasons splitting time between the AHL and NHL with the Capitals, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on September 29, 2013, in exchange for winger John Mitchell and a fourth-round pick. Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau had pushed for the trade, wanting to give Perreault a chance. In his first 16 games with Anaheim, Perreault recorded five goals and nine assists, and he praised the team for giving him a fresh start. He suffered an upper-body injury late in the season but returned for the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, helping the Ducks defeat the Dallas Stars in six games. Following the season, Anaheim opted not to re-sign him, and he joined the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent.

Reader's Guide

Mathieu Perreault's significance lies in his ability to produce offensively when given opportunity, as demonstrated during his single season with the Anaheim Ducks. After being traded from Washington, he set new career highs in goals, assists, and points, registering 43 points in 69 games. His performance validated head coach Bruce Boudreau's belief in him and highlighted how a change of scenery could unlock a player's potential. Though the Ducks chose not to retain him, Perreault's 2013–14 season remains a notable example of a player capitalizing on a fresh start. His legacy also includes being one of only three players drafted after the second round in 2006 to reach 600 NHL games, underscoring his durability and longevity. Perreault's career path—from QMJHL scoring champion to a reliable NHL contributor across four teams—reflects a player who consistently found ways to produce at each level.

Did You Know?

• Perreault won the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the QMJHL's top point-producer in his final junior season.
• He recorded his first NHL hat trick on January 24, 2012, against Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.
• Perreault scored four goals in a single game for the Winnipeg Jets on January 13, 2015, becoming the first Jets/Thrashers player to do so since Ilya Kovalchuk in 2005.
• His uncle Daniel Marois played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Islanders.