David Perron Bio
David Perron (born May 28, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing in the National Hockey League (NHL). After being drafted 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2007, he built a long and varied career across multiple franchises and won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, Perron is recognized for his scoring touch, competitiveness, and willingness to play a physical, edge-of-the-seat style. He has represented teams in both conferences and continues to be a respected veteran presence on the ice.
Throughout his career, David Perron has suited up for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators. Known for his offensive instincts and willingness to engage physically, he has produced several career-best seasons while also navigating injuries and trades. His journey from a junior standout in Quebec to a Stanley Cup champion reflects both persistence and high-end skill.
Early Life and Background
David Perron was born on May 28, 1988, in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, to François Perron and Brigitte Labrecque. Growing up in a French-speaking household in Sherbrooke, he developed a love for hockey at a young age and participated in the 2001 and 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with minor teams from his hometown. The Quebec hockey tradition provided a strong foundation for his development as a young player.
Although he was eligible for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s midget draft, Perron was passed over twice before finally being selected in 2006. He spent his first year of NHL draft eligibility with the Saint-Jérôme Panthers of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, where he recorded 69 points in 51 games. Despite that strong production, he was not interviewed by any NHL teams and went undrafted in 2006, fueling the motivation that defined his next season.
Path to Hockey
Perron’s breakthrough came with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he led the team in scoring with 39 goals and 83 points in 70 games during his rookie season. That performance elevated his profile among NHL scouts, and the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau ranked him 10th among 2007 draft-eligible North American skaters. He then helped lead the Maineiacs to their first President’s Cup in franchise history and contributed 12 goals and 16 assists during the team’s Memorial Cup run.
His standout junior production translated directly into NHL opportunity. The St. Louis Blues selected him in the first round, 26th overall, at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Perron signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues on September 5, 2007, after impressing the organization with his offensive creativity, and he made the opening night roster following a strong training camp.
David Perron Career
Early Career (2007-2012)
David Perron made his NHL debut during the 2007-08 season and quickly 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 against 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. His sophomore season in 2008-09 was even stronger, as he helped lead the Blues to the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs and placed third on the team in scoring.
In 2009-10, Perron recorded his first NHL regular-season hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks and finished the year with a then-career high 20 goals in 82 games. After signing a two-year, $4.3 million extension in 2010, his fourth season was interrupted by a severe concussion from a hit by San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton in November 2010, forcing him to miss 13 months. He returned in December 2011 and responded with 42 points in 57 games, including the series-clinching deflection against the Sharks in the 2012 playoffs, before signing a four-year, $15.25 million extension.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2013-2015)
On July 10, 2013, David Perron was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in a deal for Magnus Pääjärvi and a 2014 second-round pick. Oilers coach Dallas Eakins praised his competitiveness, and the team planned to use him on the left wing alongside Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov and on the penalty kill. Perron tied Eberle for the team lead in goals during his first season in Edmonton, though his campaign was disrupted by illness and a neck injury.
His second and final year with the Oilers was slowed by a hip injury, and he was frequently paired with Leon Draisaitl and Mark Arcobello. After the team opened the season with a 6-12-2 record, Perron openly voiced his frustration with the losing pattern. He was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 2, 2015, finishing his Oilers tenure with 19 points in 38 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks Era (2015-2016)
Perron debuted with the Penguins the night after his trade, scoring Pittsburgh’s lone goal against the Montreal Canadiens alongside Sidney Crosby. He produced five goals in his next six games but went goalless over his final 12 regular-season contests and the first round of the 2015 playoffs, later revealing he had been playing through a rib injury. The following off-season, he trained hard on power skating and Ironman Triathlon events to regain full health.
On January 16, 2016, Perron was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Carl Hagelin. Skating primarily with Ryan Getzlaf, he posted 14 points in his first 15 games and led the league in plus-minus before a shoulder injury in March interrupted his momentum. He returned in time for the 2016 playoffs and helped the Ducks push the Nashville Predators to seven games before the Ducks’ season ended and he became an unrestricted free agent.
St. Louis Blues Second Stint (2016-2017)
On July 1, 2016, David Perron signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract to return to the St. Louis Blues, choosing the Blues over a one-year offer from the Montreal Canadiens. He opened the 2016-17 season slowly but recorded his third career hat trick in a 6-4 win over the Calgary Flames on October 23. He spent most of the year on the Blues’ second line as the team qualified for the 2017 playoffs and reached the second round.
His second stint in St. Louis ended abruptly in June 2017 when the Blues left him unprotected and the Vegas Golden Knights selected him at the 2017 NHL expansion draft. Perron closed the St. Louis chapter with one point in 11 playoff games before embarking on the next phase of his career.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2017-2018)
Perron joined the Vegas Golden Knights for their inaugural 2017-18 season and quickly emerged as a top offensive contributor. After missing time with an upper-body injury in November 2017, he returned to record a career-high 66 points in 70 games, leading the team into the 2018 playoffs. He added nine points in 15 post-season games as the Golden Knights became the third expansion team in league history to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their first year.
Vegas ultimately lost to the Washington Capitals in five games despite a strong effort from Perron, who scored alongside Reilly Smith in a tight Game 5 battle. Citing the experience as the best year of his life, Perron chose to return to St. Louis as a free agent, signing a four-year, $16 million contract with the Blues.
St. Louis Blues Third Stint and Stanley Cup (2018-2021)
Perron’s third stint with the Blues began under coach Mike Yeo, who praised his track record and competitive spirit. He opened the season with his fourth career hat trick against the Calgary Flames before an upper-body injury in January 2019 placed him on long-term injured reserve. After returning in March, he posted 46 points in 57 games and helped the Blues eliminate the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks to reach the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
Tied 2-2 with the Boston Bruins in the Final, Perron scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 in a series overshadowed by a non-called tripping penalty. The Blues won Game 7 by a 4-1 score, giving Perron his first Stanley Cup, which he brought home to his hometown of Sherbrooke. In 2019-20, he recorded his fifth career hat trick against the Colorado Avalanche and was voted into the 2020 NHL All-Star Game before the season was paused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 3, 2021, he reached four milestones in a single game: his 900th NHL contest, 600th as a Blue, 600th career point, and 400th with St. Louis.
Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators Era (2022-Present)
On July 13, 2022, Perron signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, marking the first time in his career he had signed an NHL deal outside St. Louis. He spent two seasons in Detroit before signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent on July 1, 2024. On March 5, 2026, Ottawa traded him back to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick, completing a return to the Motor City.
Driving Style and Strengths
David Perron is recognized for his offensive creativity, scoring instincts, and willingness to play with an edge. He has built strong chemistry with elite playmakers throughout his career, including Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, and several Blues teammates, while contributing on special teams. His competitiveness and occasional feistiness have occasionally led to healthy scratches but have also made him a respected locker room presence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perron’s career is highlighted by the 2019 Stanley Cup with the Blues, a career-high 66-point season in Vegas in 2017-18, and reaching 600 career NHL points on May 3, 2021. He has recorded five career hat tricks and was a 2020 NHL All-Star Game participant. His trade history, spanning seven NHL franchises, underscores both his adaptability and his enduring value as a top-six winger.
David Perron Career Wins
David Perron’s most celebrated team accomplishment is the 2019 Stanley Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues, the franchise’s first title in his long career. Beyond that defining win, he has helped lead multiple teams deep into the postseason, including the 2009 Blues, the 2012 Blues, the 2018 Golden Knights, and the 2019 Cup-winning Blues squad. While individual regular-season win totals vary by team, his playoff impact has remained steady throughout his career.
Stanley Cup Highlights
Perron played a key role in the Blues’ 2019 playoff run, contributing both goals and leadership throughout the postseason. His game-winning goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins became one of the defining moments of the series. After the Blues captured the Cup in seven games, Perron brought the trophy to his hometown of Sherbrooke to celebrate with family and fans.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his Stanley Cup victory, Perron helped the Lewiston Maineiacs capture their first President’s Cup during the 2006-07 QMJHL season. He has reached the Stanley Cup playoffs with multiple franchises and recorded career-best offensive totals with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer in big moments.
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 Quebec roots and family support played an important role in his early development as a hockey player, providing stability as he pursued his junior and professional career.
Personal Life
David Perron is married to Vanessa Vandal, an interior designer who has appeared on the show Hockey Wives. The couple has four children together, and the family resides in Chesterfield, Missouri, along with their two dogs, Jack and Stella, and their calico cat, Alice. During the off-season, Perron enjoys spending time at the lake on his boat, and he has remained active in charitable work, including founding the David Perron Attitude Hockey Foundation tournament in Brompton in 2016.
2025 Season Performance
David Perron entered the 2025 season with the Ottawa Senators after signing a two-year, $8 million free-agent contract on July 1, 2024. His role with the Senators focused on providing veteran scoring depth and leadership on the left wing, complementing a young core that was pushing for a stronger playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Early-season results reflected his ongoing offensive reliability, though his minutes and deployment fluctuated as the team evaluated its younger forwards.
Through the first half of the campaign, Perron remained a steady contributor on special teams and at even strength, using his playoff experience to guide teammates through tight games. The Senators’ playoff picture sharpened as the season progressed, and Perron’s presence in the room was viewed as a stabilizing factor for a group pursuing a postseason berth.
Looking ahead, Perron’s 2025 outlook includes continued top-six usage, power-play responsibility, and a chance to influence a competitive Ottawa roster. His combination of scoring touch, physical edge, and playoff poise made him a key piece of the Senators’ plans heading into the trade deadline and the stretch run of the regular season, before his eventual March 2026 trade back to Detroit.
