Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti spoke to the media on Jan. 24, about wanting to be a "prick to play against" and followed it up posting a hat trick against Utah HC and involving himself physically against the Calgary Flames.

Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti spoke to the media on Jan. 24, about wanting to be a "prick to play against" and followed it up, by posting a hat trick against Utah HC and involving himself physically against the Calgary Flames.

Perfetti had been in a slump, going 14 games without a goal and only recording two assists in that period. The 23-year-old winger decided something needed to change and what he elected to do was to become more difficult to play against.

"The production might not be there, in the sense of stat sheet and stuff like that but I feel like I’m really starting to play good hockey," said Perfetti. "All over the ice, becoming a two-way guy, that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on is being harder on the puck, being harder on the walls and kind of being a little prick to play against. Not being fun to play against but also trying to be annoying, reliable in all zones and eventually the production is going to come."

It didn't take long for the production to follow. That night against Utah, Perfetti opened the scoring, scored the game-winning goal and recorded his first career hat trick. 

The Whitby, ON native, was held off of the score sheet against the Flames but recorded two shots on goal and three hits. He played in limited minutes but the Jets still outshot and out-chanced the Flames with Perfetti on the ice. 

With 31 games remaining, Perfetti needs nine goals and 10 points to equal his career-highs. If he maintains this mindset, the production will follow as it did against Utah and will put the Jets in a great spot heading into the playoffs. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.