The Hockey Writers Profile: Chase Perry

After playing for the Andover High School hockey program from 2010-2013, Chase Perry made the jump to the NAHL for the ’13-’14 hockey season and was able to turn quite some heads. As a member of the Wenatchee Wild, Perry managed to record some fairly impressive numbers (2.35 GAA, .905 Save Percentage) in his first NAHL season – something that undoubtedly figured into his draft ranking and stock.

 

Making the jump to the NAHL from Andover was certainly a big step in Perry’s development, but the goaltender handled it with a perfect balance of confidence and composure. Not only did Perry receive his biggest single-season workload (35 games played) with the Wild this season, the goalie also came into a league where he encountered arguably the most dangerous shooters that he has had to face thus far in his young hockey career.

 

While Perry had a relatively smooth transition to the North American Hockey League, it wasn’t unexpected for a goalie that carries himself with confidence and backs it up on the ice. Standing at 6′ 2.5″, Perry might be a tad bit smaller in stature in comparison to top-ranked netminders such as Thatcher Demko, Mason McDonald, and Brent Moran, but his flexibility and reflexes make him stand out.

 

There are many facets of Perry’s game that will appeal to NHL teams at the draft, but the most important part of the goaltender’s development – his mental approach to the game of hockey – is seemingly already well under way. Of course it’s cliche to say that “Confidence is key,” but for a young netminder it’s simply something that cannot be taught – rather, it is something that is acquired through learning experiences.

 

Going from Andover to the NAHL – and eventually Colorado College for the ’14-’15 NCAA season – Perry has had his fair share of learning experiences that have molded him into the confident, yet composed, individual that he is on and off the ice. When and where Perry will be drafted is anyone’s best guess at this point and time, but there is no doubting the fact that the Minnesota native has positioned himself for success through hard work, dedication, and a positive demeanor.

 

Read the rest of the story here, including what several scouts had to say about Perry.