Kamloops Storm alum Reid Perepeluk never made it to the Colorado Avalanche prospects development camp as planned.
When the Calgary Flames learned that the former Prince George Cougar and graduate of the Brandon Wheat Kings program was headed to Denver, they started contract negotiations with Perepeluk’s agent. Both sides agreed to a one-way American Hockey League contract with the Stockton Heat.
“As long as I was getting that one-way contract, that was the only way I was going to go play pro hockey this year,” says Perepeluk, who put up 26 points in 24 games with the Storm in 2017-18. “Otherwise I would have used my WHL scholarship money and would have gone to school.”
What the Heat like about Perepeluk, who had 14 goals and 31 points with 179 penalty minutes in 140 career WHL games, is that he brings a physical playing style that revolves around finishing his checks.
Perepeluk’s training has focused on many areas, including mobility, conditioning, speed and power and a lot of power skating and edge work because of his six-foot-three, 215-pound frame.
“I’m really excited to be in California and have the opportunity to go to Flames camp as well. I hope to go to the main camp and try to compete for a spot,” says Perepeluk. “I want to make it hard for them to send me to Stockton.”
