British-Canadian left winger Brendan Perlini, 29, has signed a one-year contract to play for HC Lugano, the National League club announced on Tuesday.
“Brendan Perlini is easy to describe: he’s a forward whose game is defined by three words – speed, technical skills, and talent,” said Lugano GM Janick Steinmann. “He’s a highly capable offensive winger with playmaking abilities and scoring touch. He is highly motivated to come to Lugano and be a big part of us and our new culture.”
Perlini joins a Lugano team that is trying to rebuild its roster after missing the playoffs last season. The team has also added former NHLers Rasmus Kupari and Connor Carrick this off-season.
Born in Guildford, England in 1996 while his father Fred Perlini played for the Guildford Flames, Brendan grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and played junior hockey for the Barrie Colts and Niagra Ice Dogs of the OHL. He was taken in the first round, 12th overall, by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Between 2016 and 2022, Perlini recorded 81 points and 92 penalty minutes in 262 NHL games with the Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. During the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season, he also played 21 games for HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.
He went to the training camp of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023 and played in some pre-season games but spent the season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers.
Perlini split last season between CSKA Moscow of the KHL and Lausanne HC in Switzeland but only played a total of 15 games, scoring two goals and adding three assists.
A dual citizen, Perlini represented Canada at the 2014 IIHF U-18 World Championship and the 2016 World Junior Championship. He also played for Team Canada at the 2022 Spengler Cup. He was invited to Canada’s pre-tournament camp at this year’s World Championship and played two pre-tournament games, recording one assist.
Brendan’s older brother Brett is a long-time member of the British national team, having played in four elite-level World Championships, and is a member of the EIHL’s Cardiff Devils, who won last season’s IIHF Continental Cup.
Photo © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images: Brendan Perlini playing for the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2023 pre-season.
