Blackhawks sign former Hart Trophy winner to one-year, $4 million contract

Perry, 38, scored 12 goals and 25 points in 81 games with the Lightning during the 2022–23 regular season. He added two goals and five points in six games with Tampa Bay in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The New Liskeard, Ontario product was initially drafted No. 28 overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after a sensational major junior season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. After capturing junior hockey’s most prestigious trophy, the Memorial Cup, on a Knights squad considered one of the best junior teams ever assembled, Perry embarked on his NHL career.

Perry quickly established himself as an NHL superstar in Anaheim, winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal-scorer in 2011. He also won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2006-07.

After being bought out of his contract by the Ducks in 2019, Perry joined the Dallas Stars on a one-year deal and played a significant part in their surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019-20, ultimately losing to the Lightning. He performed similarly with the Montreal Canadiens during their Cinderella Stanley Cup run in 2021.

Perry joins a growing list of veterans whom Davidson is trying to scoop up and bring to the Blackhawks to surround around No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard.

Through 1,257 career games over 18 seasons with the Ducks, Stars, Canadiens and Lightning, Perry has racked up 417 goals and 883 points. He’s added 53 goals and 124 points in 196 career playoff contests.