Ottawa Senators forward David Perron is set to reach a significant career milestone on Tuesday night, playing in his 1,200th regular-season NHL game as his team faces the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. For the 37-year-old native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, achieving this feat in Montreal holds special significance, especially after a year where personal challenges overshadowed professional pursuits.
A Milestone Game Close to Home
While St. Louis—where Perron spent three separate stints—would have been the ideal location, Montreal serves as a meaningful alternative for the veteran in his 19th season. "You try to make it as much of a normal game as it is," Perron remarked following the Senators' morning skate. "But, obviously, any time you hit a bit of a milestone like this, it's special." He added that these landmarks grow more poignant with time, acknowledging the finite nature of an athlete's career.
Perron's journey began as a determined 19-year-old, drafted 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2007. After a single, dominant season with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL where he scored 39 goals and won a league championship, he made good on his bold promise to crack the NHL roster immediately. He debuted on October 12, 2007, and never looked back.
A Nomadic and Resilient Career
The 6-foot, 202-pound winger has carved out a reputation as a reliable and versatile forward. His career path has been anything but linear, featuring three tours in St. Louis, plus stops with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and Detroit Red Wings. He was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 expansion draft and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. He returned to St. Louis as a free agent the following year and was a key part of the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup championship team. Perron signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent in 2024.
Through it all, his production has been consistent, amassing 322 goals and 796 points over his lengthy career. Senators head coach Travis Green praised Perron's value, noting his experience, voice in the locker room, and the sheer dedication required to play 1,200 games at hockey's highest level.
The Greatest Victory: Family and Health
For Perron, the past year put hockey firmly in perspective. The 2024-25 season was his most challenging, limited to 43 games due to a back injury—his first serious physical setback since a 2011 concussion. More profoundly, he took time away to support his family through a critical health crisis involving his newborn daughter, Elizabeth.
"The mass is something we picked up during the pregnancy," Perron explained. Doctors discovered a large mass on his daughter's right lung, requiring emergency surgery immediately after her birth in 2024. "We didn't know how it would play out... It worked out. Everything's good. We're lucky that every step of the way she has been fine," he said, adding that Elizabeth is now expected to lead a normal life and is considered a miracle by her parents.
Reflecting on balancing this personal ordeal with his profession, Perron expressed pride in his resilience. "I was away from the rink a lot. That's something I hadn't done in so many years. Finding ways to get back and being able to perform at a high level is something I'm proud of for sure," he stated.
As he prepares for game number 1,200, David Perron's story transcends the stat sheet. It's a narrative of professional longevity, geographic journey, and, most importantly, a father's gratitude for a family's health—a milestone that truly outshines any on-ice achievement.
