Gabe Perreault
The third member of the USNTDP three-headed monster
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Position: Right Wing
Team: USNTDP
Nationality: USA
The Draft Prospectus Ranking: #14
The top line for the USNTDP has been deadly all year, with Gabriel Perreault as the line's triggerman. Perreault, Will Smith, and Ryan Leonard have wreaked havoc on opponents since day one and will look to continue their chemistry next season as all three are set to attend Boston College.
With some NHL ties running through his bloodline, Perreault is to compete not just at the dinner table anymore but for positioning at the 2023 NHL Draft. His father, Yanic, played 859 games in the NHL across 16 seasons with six different teams. His brother, Jacob, was a first-round pick (27) of the Anaheim Ducks in 2020, currently playing with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL.
“Perreault makes highly-creative dekes and passes with the puck at a high rate, both off the perimeter and in small areas. His puck game is clear NHL power-play quality, and he will score as a pro.” - Corey Pronman, The Athletic
Despite being the fourth player in our top-32 from the NTDP, Perreault has led the team in scoring throughout the season with 132 points (53 goals, 79 assists). Though he may not have the high-end skill sets of his teammates, his production speaks for itself. Perrault is fourth all-time in points-per-game with the NTDP, trailing only Jack Hughes, Will Smith, and Clayton Keller. Regardless of any particular set of skills he has, that itself deserves some high praise being on any list above names like Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, and Jack Eichel.
Perreault has decent height for a winger at 5’11” but has not filled out, weighing only 165 lbs. His size hasn’t put a damper on his play this year, but as he enters the NCAA ranks next season, he’ll need to pack on some pounds.
🥅 Perreault’s offensive production this season has been on par with all the top players in this draft class, as Connor Bedard is the only player with a better scoring record.
It’s not often he sees a shot he doesn’t like, but he won’t force the issue if it's not there. He’s a volume shooter but if he doesn’t see a clear lane towards the net, he’ll make the clever pass or look to get himself into a better shooting position.
Perreault has benefited immensely from his linemates this season, with Smith finding him in open areas and Leonard causing chaos near the front of the net. It’s easy to say that he’s just a product of his linemates, and they do all the dirty work while Perreault happens to be in the right place. While Smith and Leonard are particularly talented at what they do, Perreault is no slouch.
Aside from being an efficient goal scorer, Perreault’s puck-handling skills are his top quality. Though he may be overlooked by Smith at times, when given the opportunity, Perreault likes to dip and dive around defenders, creating space of his own and opportunities at goal.
With a diminutive frame like Perreault’s, one would think he spends most of his time flying around the perimeter. Unlike many players his size and those even bigger, Perreault has no issue with heading toward the mouth of the goal. He may not park himself just outside the crease, but he’ll look for pockets of space or a deflection from an oncoming shot.
Despite his willingness to play a bigger game, Perreault’s size will be an issue beginning with next season at Boston College. His style of play and his build don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. Along with his average-at-best skating abilities, creating space may not come as effortlessly as it has this season.
Though he won’t be able to outrun opponents and will undeniably find it challenging to keep control of the puck while being tossed around like a bumper car, Perreault finds ways to beat you with his smarts. He’s an exceptionally cerebral player who reacts to play as it develops in front of him, without any predetermined notions regarding his next step.
🏒 Spending the bulk of his energy in the offensive zone, Perreault’s tank is typically empty by the time he gets back on defense. He’s often the last forward back in the defensive zone and can get caught just going through the motions.
He likely won’t be a member of the penalty-kill unit at any point in his career, but most of his deficiencies on defense are correctable. For instance, his stick seems to hang at his side too often. Even the most average of defensive players, they tend to move their stick to both sides of their bodies, looking to deflect a pass or at least agitate the puck carrier.
If Boston College Head Coach Greg Brown can help turn Perreault into even an average defensive player, it will elevate his game to a new level and earn him more ice time.
📊 Perreault’s skills are up to standard, but he isn’t really exceptional at many things. His puck handling and IQ are his top qualities, but he seems to be lacking that “it” factor. Perhaps the best compliment for Perreault is he is simply a very good hockey player. That sounds odd, but he gets the job done in his way and collects points at an extremely high rate which is all you can ask for.
I like Perreault’s game and see room for improvement. With good coaching, certain skills can be taught, but a knack for goal is something that has to come naturally, and Perreault has that.
Ranked 14th on our board is probably towards the higher end of where Perrault could be selected come draft night, as it’s plausible to see him selected around picks 18-24. His style of play will likely leave him only suitable in a top-6 role, unlikely to be able to handle the rigors of a checking line.
He is still multiple years from being an NHL-caliber forward. If he had a year or two and Boston College already under his belt, I could see his name being called in the first half of the first round. He’ll benefit more than others playing collegiate hockey instead of the CHL or USHL.
📈 📉 Rankings by Top Publications and Insiders
Sportsnet: 19
TSN/Bob McKenzie: 23
TSN/Craig Button: 14
EliteProspects: 31
The Hockey News: 24
NHL Central Scouting’s North American Rankings: 10