Corey Perry on returning for twenty second NHL season: ‘I’m nonetheless having enjoyable’

Players within the 2026 NHL Draft class had not been born but when Corey Perry first hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

As the wave of younger expertise continues to flood the National Hockey League, Perry is ready to embark on his twenty second season after signing with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1. He would be the second-oldest participant within the league in 2026-27 at 41, trailing solely Colorado Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns, who is 2 months older.

In Brampton for the Smilezone Foundation annual celeb golf match, Perry defined his resolution to play one other season on TSN Radio 1050 Monday morning.

“I love the game and I’m still having fun,” stated Perry. “I feel great, I still feel young and that’s probably the thing that keeps me going, is I keep telling myself that I feel young.”

He admits although it’s somewhat more durable at 41 to get off the bed within the morning.

“But yeah, probably as you get older, it’s a little harder to get up in the morning, go to the gym, go skate,” Perry added.

Perry has skated in 1,464 profession NHL video games and is third all-time in playoff video games performed at 244, trailing solely Chris Chelos (266) and Nicklas Lidstrom (263).

The Peterborough, Ont., native spent the primary 13 seasons of his profession in Anaheim, the place he captured the Hart and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies in 2011 after a 50-goal season.

Since then, he has suited up for the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers and Kings. He completed the 2025-26 season with the Lightning after being acquired from the Kings on the commerce deadline.

Perry has notably performed in six Stanley Cup Finals, with 5 of them coming because the begin of the last decade. But his Stanley Cup complete stays at one, and it has been practically 20 years since he gained that title with the Ducks.

An unrestricted free agent as soon as once more this summer season, Perry determined to return to the west coast for an additional crack with the Kings. Los Angeles made the playoffs final season however have been swept within the first spherical by the Colorado Avalanche.

“We just loved it out there,” stated Perry of Los Angeles. “The family fell in love with LA. I can’t say enough good things about the organization and what they do top to bottom. And Kenny [Holland] is trying to put a team together to make another push and take another run. And I feel that this team can take the next steps and see where it goes.”

While Kings captain Anze Kopitar retired on the finish of final season, the group can have a full season of Artemi Panarin after buying him on the commerce deadline whereas bringing again Perry and Scott Laughton. Veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello and Erik Haula additionally signed as free brokers on July 1.

One of the perks of continuous his NHL profession for Perry is having his younger son, Griffin, having the ability to expertise him nonetheless taking part in.

“It really is amazing,” stated Perry. “He knows the NHL now. It’s cool that he understands that I’m still playing. He knows more about the game than I do, and he knows all the stats and with all the all the young guys coming into the league, and it’s really fun to have him around and be a part of it.”