Corey Perry on Coming to Chicago: ‘Happy to Be on This Side’

Corey Perry comes in peace, Chicago. He knows Blackhawks fans remember the scraps from the 2015 Western Conference Final and well, an entire career filled with digging beneath the opponents skin. With a long career in Anaheim, and then stops in Dallas, Montreal, and Tampa Bay, he’s ready to antagonize the opponent with Chicago.

But oh the irony that he ends up with the Blackhawks.

“At the end of the day that’s kind of been everywhere I’ve gone the last few years, it’s been that way,” Perry said.  “There have been some heated moments, myself against this team, but I’m happy to be on this side, excited to see where this season goes.”

Perry’s 18-year career has seen incredible highs and some disappointing lows, seeing quite a bit in that lengthy career. He had a feeling that something would change after a second season with Tampa Bay.

“I kind of had a feeling that I wasn’t going back to Tampa,” Perry said.  “They’re going in a different direction. But I enjoyed my time there, no hard feelings about it. But I’m excited for this. I’m excited for this opportunity, and obviously with Connor coming in and being the player that he is, I’ve watched many games of his, especially in the World Juniors, so it’s an exciting time for the Blackhawks.”

Perry Brings Experience, Veteran Leadership

The Blackhawks have made it clear that they want to build up the mental side of the game as much as they focus on the skills on the ice. Perry’s experiences include a Stanley Cup title, and then a tough run of three Final appearances but falling short each time. What wisdom could he bestow on the young players who are seeing the dawn of their career?

“At the end of the day, you can’t take this game for granted,” Perry said.  “It can come to a screeching halt pretty quick. Being bought out, I didn’t know if I was going to play again. But here we are, four or five years later, still going strong. At the end of the day, you’ve just got to put your head down and go to work.”

Get to work they will. Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson is all but done with roster tinkering, save maybe a transaction here or there to fill things out if need be. But the addition of Perry will certainly move the needle a bit more for a team set on building the right, patient way and out of the rebuild.

But won’t it be something when the crowd roars after a Corey Perry goal.