SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It’s a decision forward Coleton Perry, nor the Campbellton Tigers, regret.
After learning he had earned a roster spot with the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) team for the 2017-18 season, Perry was faced with the option of staying in the northern New Brunswick city, or returning home for his Grade 12 year and playing his final year of major midget eligibility with the Kensington Wild.
“I didn’t really know much about Campbellton when I first came here,” said Perry, who is from North Bedeque. “It was going to be my third year with the Wild, so that would have been a big year.
“It was a pretty big decision for me to leave, but I’m glad I did.”
And so are the Tigers.
“Coleton is a great kid,” Tigers general manager and head coach Greg Leland told the Journal Pioneer in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. “We love him over here.
“He plays on the PK (penalty killing), plays on the power play, is a solid 200-foot player and has a high hockey IQ. He loves the game, he trains hard and is a great ambassador for Summerside being a native of there, and he’s a great ambassador for our team.
“We like having good kids like him around here.”
Coleton Perry’s regular-season statistics with Campbellton Tigers:
2018-19
- 46 games
- 15 goals
- 13 assists
- 28 points
- 22 penalty minutes
2017-18
- 46 games
- 6 goals
- 9 assists
- 15 points
- 10 penalty minutes
Perry, who returned to graduate from Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside in June 2018, has played his way into key roles with the Tigers.
“My role is more of a two-way forward,” explained the son of Randy and Penny Perry, who was named the Tigers’ most improved and sportsmanlike player his rookie season. “I try to be a reliable guy for Greg to put on (the ice).”
Perry improved his point total by 13 points in his sophomore campaign.
“My game has developed a lot, offensively, for sure,” said Perry, who is taking online courses from UNB while working towards a kinesiology degree and his long-term goal of becoming a physiotherapist. “I had a better year for points and goals this year, and I’m starting to learn how to score in this league.”
Sixth-round pick
The Tigers drafted Perry in the sixth round, 64th overall, of the 2017 MHL Entry Draft. It’s safe to say he made an immediate impression with the Tigers.
“When we first watched him it was at the Midget Atlantics in Miramichi two years ago, and (the Wild) had a really good team,” said Leland. “We really liked how he played without the puck, he played well defensively and when he came in here he grasped that right away.
“Playing against 20-year-olds he knew he had to be responsible defensively, and we didn’t really put him in offensive spots in terms of the power play. This year, he took on more of that role, and he’s just an all-around solid player, dependable, reliable and gives you what he’s got every night.
“He’s a great kid off the ice, his billets love him and we love him. The fact he’s only 18 and we might have him for two more years is exciting, too.”
Wild assistant coach Duane Richards is not one bit surprised at Perry’s success.
“First of all, Coleton is a great kid,” said Richards. “He just works so hard, is so committed to getting better and he wants to be a hockey player.”
Perry pointed out the Wild “had a huge impact” on his development.
“They have a really good support team, they really develop their players nicely and I learned a lot from Coach Dunner (head coach Kyle Dunn) and Trixie (Richards), I was always having fun with those guys,” said Perry. “It was a great spot to play and learn the game.”
“Coleton is a great kid. We love him over here. He plays on the PK (penalty killing), plays on the power play, is a solid 200-foot player and has a high hockey IQ. He loves the game, he trains hard and is a great ambassador for Summerside being a native of there, and he’s a great ambassador for our team. We like having good kids like him around here.”
-Tigers general manager and head coach Greg Leland
Similarities
Perry noted there are a lot of similarities between Campbellton and Summerside.
“Everybody knows everybody,” noted Perry. “If you are walking around town and if you have your Tigers’ jacket on someone will stop you and want to talk about the game.
“My two years here have been great. I love it up here, love the people up here and the team has really improved the last couple of years.”
Those upcoming conversations will include games against Perry’s hometown team. The Tigers and Summerside Western Capitals open the best-of-seven Eastlink North Division final series at Eastlink Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tight-knit series,” predicted Perry, who looks forward to playing in front of a large contingent of family and friends each time the Tigers visit Summerside. “I look at the schedule at the start of the season, and I definitely circle these games.
“They are ones you want to have a little more jump to for family and friends watching.”
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