Joël Perrault

Playing career

Perrault was selected by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the fifth round of the 2001 NHL entry draft, 137th overall. In his final junior season, he led the QMJHL in scoring while with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. After turning professional, he spent two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and the Portland Pirates before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes on March 9, 2006, in exchange for Sean O'Donnell. During the 2006–07 season, the St. Louis Blues claimed Perrault off waivers on October 31, 2006, but the Coyotes reclaimed him on December 19, 2006. He also played parts of that season in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage and the Blues' minor affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen. In 2007–08, Perrault split time between the NHL and AHL, recording 17 points in 49 games for the Coyotes. Over the next two seasons, he remained in the Phoenix organization but could not secure a permanent NHL role, often contributing offensively with San Antonio. On May 11, 2010, he signed with Swiss team EV Zug of the National League A, with an out clause for NHL interest. He exercised that clause and signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2010. Perrault began the 2010–11 season in the AHL, playing 15 games for the Manitoba Moose before being recalled to make his Vancouver debut on November 20 in a 7–1 home game against the Chicago Blackhawks. On February 28, 2011, he was traded along with a third-round pick in the 2012 draft to the Anaheim Ducks for Maxim Lapierre and MacGregor Sharp. On May 5, 2011, he again signed in Switzerland, agreeing to a one-year contract with an optional second year with the SCL Tigers for the 2011–12 season. On November 18, he signed a one-year contract with HC Ambrì-Piotta for the remainder of that season. On July 20, 2012, Perrault signed with HIFK of the Finnish SM-liiga for the 2012–13 season. Midway through that campaign, he determined his stay in Finland would be a solitary season after signing a contract for the following season with Krefeld Pinguine of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga on December 10, 2013, and also spent the 2014–15 season with the club.