With Team Great Britain’s IIHF World Championship opener versus Canada looming large, the Cardiff Devils announced the signing of national team star Brett Perlini to a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old forward joins the Devils from Saale Bulls Halle, for whom he potted 60 points (25 goals, 35 assists) in 43 appearances in Germany’s third division last season.
Perlini boasts a wealth of professional experience in North America and Europe, with stops in the United States, Italy, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The Sault St. Marie-born forward has three seasons of Elite League play on his resume, totalling 121 points (51 goals, 70 assists) in 153 appearances for the Nottingham Panthers.
“Brett is an outstanding person and a great player,” said Devils and Team GB head coach Pete Russell.
“He will bring leadership and experience to the locker room. He competes hard every night and does the little things right to be successful. It’s a big plus to bring in a player that already knows the system we play and has excelled in it.
“He also knows the league and has been a top player in the EIHL during his time with the Panthers. Brett can play at centre or wing, plays powerplay and kills penalties. He is a very skilled player, and we are excited to bring him to Cardiff.”
Analysis: Cardiff Devils make statement of intent with Brett Perlini signing
There’s no doubt that Brett Perlini will be a highly productive player for the Cardiff Devils in the season to come.
He returns to the Elite League after four seasons on the continent, adding a continental flavour to a career that already included impressive stints on the other side of the pond as a student and professional.
Perlini, a former seventh round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, played four seasons in the NCAA for Michigan State University, accumulating 76 points (36 goals, 40 assists) in 123 appearances.
He spent the next portion of his career in the ECHL, the third tier of professional hockey in North America, and cut his teeth with 146 points (74 goals, 72 assists) in 272 games for a handful of teams.
His play in the Elite League was impressive, albeit not blistering.
Brett Perlini, now of the Cardiff Devils (Image: Nottingham Panthers)
Perlini’s best season on these shores came seven years ago, when he played just below a point-per-game pace for the Panthers.
The 1990-born forward’s production has trended down since then, although he was utterly dominant in Germany’s DEL3 last term.
Perlini is the third player to put pen to paper with the Devils for the season ahead, joining defenceman Gleason Fournier and RIley Brandt on the roster.
After falling short in the Elite League, Challenge Cup, and playoffs last time around, Cardiff has the foundations for an imposing squad. Let’s see how they build from here.
