The winger was introduced by Edmonton on Monday, but he declined to talk about the incident that resulted in the Blackhawks terminating his contract earlier this season. The winger agreed to terms with the Oilers over the weekend.
“I truly had an opportunity to think things through, get support, accept full responsibility for what transpired in Chicago, and work toward improving myself,” Perry said to reporters. “The support I’ve received and my background have made a huge difference from where I was two months ago to where I am today.”
Following the team’s investigation into the enigmatic incident, which they determined to have broken standards “intended to promote professional and safe work environments,” Perry’s one-year contract in Chicago was terminated early in November.
Presently, the
Corey Perry (number 90) of the Edmonton Oilers watches during his first Rogers Place practice as a member of his new team.
Getty Images via NHLI
“I didn’t know where things were going to go after everything happened and my contract was terminated, so at first I took care of myself,” Perry remarked. “Taking care of yourself, placing yourself in a better position, and moving on from there was at the forefront of it.”
He joins the Oilers, who are 23-6 after sacking head coach Jay Woodcroft and riding high after winning 13 straight games.
Superstar forwards Connor McDavid (59 points in 40 games) and Leon Draisaitl (50 points in 42 games), who are ranked ninth and sixteenth in the league in scoring, are the leaders for Edmonton.
You kind of watch the Edmonton Oilers when you have Connor McDavid on the club and you have a 6-year-old child, Perry said. “This team is headed in the right direction, and it’s not just because they’ve won 13 straight games; you can see their mindset and their vision, which is to win a Stanley Cup here.”
After consulting with his counterpart Kyle Davidson in Chicago, general manager Ken Holland was pleased to add Perry, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, Cup winner, and former MVP in his 19th NHL season.
You’re attempting to improve the team, according to Holland. “We’re adding a guy who, in my opinion, is heavy on the puck down low, gritty, greasy, and plays playoff hockey.”
