David Perron Bio
David Perron (born May 28, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). A left winger recognized for his scoring touch and fiery competitiveness, Perron has spent more than fifteen years in the league after being selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He is best remembered for helping the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019, the first championship in franchise history.
Across his career, Perron has suited up for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing roughly 200 pounds, he combines offensive creativity with a physical edge that has made him a respected presence in every locker room he has joined.
Early Life and Background
David Perron was born on May 28, 1988, in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, to François Perron and Brigitte Labrecque. He grew up in Sherbrooke and was introduced to hockey at a young age through minor ice hockey programs in his hometown. As a youth, he competed in the 2001 and 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments, an experience that helped shape his early development as a forward.
Although Perron was eligible for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s midget draft, he was passed over twice before finally being selected in 2006. He played his first year of NHL draft eligibility with the Saint-Jérôme Panthers of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, recording 69 points in 51 games. Despite his strong production, no NHL team interviewed him, and he went undrafted in 2006 before a breakthrough junior campaign changed his trajectory.
Path to Hockey
Perron’s path to professional hockey accelerated when he joined the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In his rookie QMJHL season, he led the team in scoring with 39 goals and 83 points in 70 games, a performance that quickly drew the attention of NHL scouts. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as the tenth-best North American skater eligible for the 2007 draft.
During the same season, Perron helped the Maineiacs capture their first President’s Cup in franchise history and advanced to the Memorial Cup, where he served as the team’s second-leading goal scorer with 12 goals and 16 assists. His blend of speed, skill, and scoring instinct convinced the St. Louis Blues to select him with the 26th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, launching his professional career.
David Perron Career
Early Career (2007–2010)
Perron signed a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on September 5, 2007, after an impressive training camp. He made his NHL debut during the 2007–08 season and became the fifth-youngest skater in Blues history at 19 years and 137 days old. On November 3, 2007, he scored his first career NHL goal in a 3–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, finishing his rookie year with 13 goals and 27 points in 62 games and earning a selection to the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game.
In his sophomore season of 2008–09, Perron recorded a hat trick in the preseason and emerged as a team leader, placing third on the Blues in scoring and helping the club reach the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs. The following season, he scored his first NHL regular-season hat trick on November 10, 2009, in a 6–1 win over the Vancouver Canucks and finished with a then career high of 20 goals.
St. Louis Blues Breakthrough and Injuries (2010–2013)
After signing a two-year, $4.3 million contract extension in the summer of 2010, Perron opened his fourth NHL season with five goals in his first ten games. His campaign was cut short on November 4, 2010, when he sustained a concussion from an elbow by San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton, ending a 167-game consecutive appearance streak and forcing him to miss 13 months.
Perron returned in December 2011 and produced 42 points in 57 games as the Blues qualified for the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the first round against the Sharks, he scored the series-winning goal by deflecting Alex Pietrangelo’s shot, and the moment was later voted the Best Moment of the Season by Blues fans. Following a down year in 2012–13 under head coach Ken Hitchcock, Perron was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on July 10, 2013.
Edmonton, Pittsburgh, and Anaheim Years (2013–2016)
Perron’s tenure with the Edmonton Oilers was marked by injuries, including a hip issue that delayed his second season. He tied for the team lead in goals during his first year in Edmonton and was named to Team Canada for the 2014 IIHF World Championship but was forced to withdraw due to injury. On January 2, 2015, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he made an immediate impact by scoring in his debut alongside Sidney Crosby before revealing he had been playing through a rib injury.
On January 16, 2016, Perron was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks, where he was frequently paired with Ryan Getzlaf. He recorded 14 points in his first 15 games and at one point led the league in plus-minus rating before a shoulder injury slowed his production. After helping the Ducks reach the 2016 playoffs, he became an unrestricted free agent and signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract to return to St. Louis.
St. Louis Blues Return and Stanley Cup (2016–2019)
Perron began the 2016–17 season with the Blues and recorded his third career hat trick on October 23 in a win over the Calgary Flames. He was left unprotected for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and selected by the Vegas Golden Knights, where he enjoyed a career-high 66 points in 70 games and helped the expansion club reach the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. Following that breakout year, Perron signed a four-year, $16 million contract to return to St. Louis for a third stint.
During the 2018–19 season, Perron registered 46 points in 57 games and played a vital role as the Blues surged into playoff contention. In the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins, with the series tied 2–2, he scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 following a contested tripping non-call. The Blues won the series in seven games, and Perron lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career before bringing it home to Sherbrooke.
Vegas, Detroit, and Ottawa Era (2019–Present)
Perron remained with the Blues for the shortened 2019–20 campaign, recording his fifth career hat trick against the Colorado Avalanche and being voted into the 2020 NHL All-Star Game as part of the Last Man In ballot. On May 3, 2021, he reached four milestones in a single game during his 900th NHL contest, recording his 600th career point and 400th point as a Blue. After the 2021–22 season, he signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 13, 2022, marking the first time in his career he signed with a team other than the Blues.
On July 1, 2024, Perron signed a two-year, $8 million contract as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators, joining the organization for the 2024–25 campaign and continuing his role as a veteran scoring winger in the NHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
David Perron is recognized for his offensive creativity, slick puckhandling, and willingness to drive to the net. He is most effective when playing on skilled lines, where his passing and shot generation complement playmaking centers. Coaches have long valued his competitiveness and edge, even as that intensity has occasionally resulted in healthy scratches or reduced ice time during stretches with the Blues.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perron’s signature moment came in Game 5 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, when his game-winning goal helped the Blues capture their first championship in franchise history. Other milestones include scoring his first NHL hat trick against the Canucks in 2009, reaching his 600th career point in 2021, and being selected to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game following a fan vote.
David Perron Career Wins
David Perron’s career win total is highlighted by the 2019 Stanley Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues, the defining victory of his professional career. While he has yet to win an individual NHL scoring title, his teams have qualified for the playoffs in multiple seasons with St. Louis, Anaheim, and Vegas, and he has posted several 20-goal campaigns throughout his time in the league.
NHL Highlights
Perron’s most celebrated NHL win came during the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, when the Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games. He has also been part of several playoff series victories, including the Blues’ first-round win over the San Jose Sharks in 2012 and the Golden Knights’ run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. His career-high 66 points during the 2017–18 season with Vegas remains one of his most productive individual achievements.
Other Wins and Performances
In junior hockey, Perron’s most notable victory came when he led the Lewiston Maineiacs to the 2006 President’s Cup, the first in franchise history. He also represented Canada at various international events and was a finalist candidate for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game before being voted in by fans.
David Perron Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
David Perron was raised in Sherbrooke, Quebec, by his father, François Perron, and his mother, Brigitte Labrecque. His parents supported his early hockey development, and he grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown before progressing through the Quebec Junior AAA ranks and into the QMJHL. His Quebec roots remain a central part of his identity, and he brought the Stanley Cup to Sherbrooke after the Blues’ 2019 championship.
Personal Life
Perron is married to Vanessa Vandal, an interior designer who has appeared on the television series Hockey Wives. The couple has four children together, and the family resides in Chesterfield, Missouri. During the off-season, Perron enjoys spending time at the lake on his boat. He is also active in charitable work, founding the David Perron Attitude Hockey Foundation tournament in Brompton and supporting organizations such as the Athletes for Animals Foundation.
2025 Season Performance
David Perron entered the 2025 season with the Ottawa Senators after signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the club on July 1, 2024. Brought in to add veteran scoring and leadership to a young forward group, he has slotted into a top-nine role while continuing to serve as a mentor for the team’s emerging forwards. His experience from multiple playoff runs, including the 2019 Stanley Cup championship, has been a valuable asset in the Senators’ locker room.
Through the early months of the campaign, Perron has produced steady offensive contributions and provided secondary scoring on the power play. The Senators have remained in the hunt for a playoff position in the Atlantic Division, and Perron’s two-way play has helped stabilize the team’s depth chart. Head coach Travis Green has leaned on him in key situations, including overtime matchups where his shot and vision remain reliable.
Looking ahead, Perron’s leadership and playoff pedigree will be central to Ottawa’s push for a postseason berth in 2025. With his contract running through 2026, he is positioned to remain a key contributor as the Senators continue building toward sustained contention.