Nathan Perry's Junior Review

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Growing up on Vancouver island all Perry wanted to do was play hockey. He spent most of his young life playing soccer because a lack of financial stability held him from playing his favorite sport. Although his mother got a big time job in the city and at 14 years old he got his chance to play! Starting in a minor house hockey league he had much to learn but his natural athletic ability and drive to be the best he could be drove him to improve every game! The following seasons he made the triple A rep team and played his way onto a injury riddled WHL team in Regina. Playing their final 8 games of the regular season as a emergency call-up contract he finished with 0 points; although they were thoroughly impressed. Perry would be offered a contract from the Regina Pats shortly after turning 17. His dream of playing in the VHL was a mere dream a few years ago, now he felt he could not be stopped. 

 

Perry would start off slow and only record 19 points in 68 GP and 29 points in 62 GP in his two seasons with Regina... losing hope being 19 years old now with only 1 more season eligible in the WHL to make a name for himself. Experts at large would critic Perry "heart and sole guy but not enough pure skill to make a career out of this" said one local Regina sports broadcaster. Perry just would not give up while his family were trying to convince him to focus on school and give up on hockey. He would spent the entire summer working out and training closely with VHL player and Abbotsford's own Jake Virtanen. He unfortunately could not get a hold of anyone else.....  after getting bigger,  stronger and better overall throughout the summer and realizing he was better then Virtanen! He knew it was not over. Perry would show up to the Pats camp and earn a contract. 

 

Perry would fly out the gate of this new season quickly getting more offensive opportunity. The league was in shock at who this new player was; faster,  stronger and could just rifle the puck. The heart and sole of the Pats quickly became the leader and go to guy. The Pats finish the regular season in first place while Perry lead the team in scoring with 124 Pts in 68 GP and third in overall league scoring. Perry was starting to get attention from pros teams in Europe as a late bloomer, despite his struggles nobody could deny the dominance in his 19 year old season. Regina would go on to win the first three rounds in convincing fashion with Perry leading the way once again. Heading into the finals Perry and the pats were the heavy favorites, unfortunately no one expected what would happen next.

 

"Welcome to Sportscenter everyone! We start off with some horrible news... Star Regina Pats player Nathan Perry was involved in a serious car accident on the way to the arena ahead of game 1 tonight"

 

Just like that Perry's career might be over.... breaking both legs, his pelvis and suffering nerve damage in his spine and neck'; Perry could not believe this wasn't a nightmare. Regina would go on to lose the finals in 6 games while Perry watched from the hospital.... ( 3 Years Later) Perry is working at an all you can eat Poutinerie in Vancouver, he has recovered from his injuries but continues rehab for his nerve damage in his neck as that has not quite healed as well. Perry knows although he has not played hockey since; things could be much worse. He could be in a wheel chair for life, but he can still live a normal life for the most part and is focusing on his passion of the Poutine business. A few weeks later Perry's old friend from school who now lives in Miami was in town for a Charity tournament and asked Perry to be a part of it. Reluctantly Perry was scared.. but not because of the pain but because he knew he can't ever be what he wanted what he worked so hard that last season for, maybe that's what really kept him off the ice this entire time. With continuous convincing Perry went for the charity!

Perry would instantly feel like he never left the ice, once his stick touched that puck all pain went away and he was flying out there again! After destroying the older players and kids all day in this charity game Perry needed a ice bath as he was also 50 lbs overweight. Perry's friend would call him a week later saying he knew the General Manager of the VHLM Miami Marauders. "Kris Rice is a business partner of mine" said Perry's friend; "i told him all about your story and the charity game and he wants to meet with you". 

 

Perry would fly out to meet Rice putting his poutine passion on hold for his childhood dream being possible again. After being offered a pro tryout Perry almost certain he was in a coma, no way this could be true. Perry would have to work out hard to lose the lbs and despite the ongoing pain he impressed the coaching staff of the Marauders to earn a contract. Playing in 26 games Perry would record 3 Pts in a 4th line role. Marauders squeaked into the playoffs and Perry was about to play professional playoff hockey..... Much like Perry the Marauders were the underdogs, last playoff spot team filled with free agent rookies. They would go on to win the entire thing! VHLM champion; that will forever be on Perry's hockey card. Although Perry was not a point producer or go to guy on their cup run management saw enough in him to draft him onto their team in the off-season. Shortly after Perry would be drafted by London United of the VHL, he could not of imagined this ever happening after his accident! This has all happened so fast and Perry still has not completed his ultimate goal and his heart will push him through the pain to be become better and to become a VHL Champion.