"Being in that leadership role, being one of the few returning guys from last year, that's a goal of mine, to be a leader," said Perfetti. "But the bigger thing is just to get that gold. Came up short last year, but I've had my mind set on that since that day we lost last year."
He was surrounded by his Manitoba Moose teammates when the news was officially announced on Wednesday.
Along with the regular congratulatory remarks that often come with this achievement, there was some sarcasm along with it.
"I'm getting chirped quite a bit because a lot of guys didn't think I was junior eligible. So they were making fun of how young I was," laughed Perfetti. "But they're so happy for me and I'm really excited. Obviously, it's tough to leave the guys and miss a chunk of the season."
His performance in the American Hockey League since playing in the 2021 World Juniors is one of the reasons Perfetti believes he's a different player than he was in December of 2020.
Back then, it had been only a few months since the Winnipeg Jets selected him 10th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. The Ontario Hockey League season was up in the air (before it was ultimately cancelled), so the World Junior Selection Camp became the first time that season that Perfetti would skate with a purpose.
Yes, he was training prior to that in case the OHL season started, but when he was named to the Canadian team's camp, he finally had a date to work with.
Since that silver medal performance, Perfetti has played 47 games with the Manitoba Moose (32 in 2020-21, and 15 so far this season) and has accumulated 40 points.
He was the league's Rookie of the Month in April of last season, and carried that momentum into a gold medal with Canada at the World Championship in Riga, Latvia.
In Jets training camp in the fall, Perfetti made the team out of camp and played in his first two National Hockey League games in Anaheim and San Jose.
Now, as almost a point-per-game player with a Moose squad sitting second in the Central Division with a 11-6-1-0 record, he's hoping he can take on a leadership role with Canada's junior squad.
"I definitely think the last year playing in the AHL has definitely helped me," Perfetti said. "My game is at a much better place than it was a year ago today. It's exciting and I'm fortunate and thankful that I've had this opportunity to play here."
The 2022 World Junior Championship will be held in the same location as last year's event - Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta - but there will be one big difference.
Fans in the building.
Last season, that wasn't possible due to the pandemic. The hope is that there will be fans this season, and Perfetti can't wait to hear that roar.
"Having it in Edmonton's new rink there, I think it seats 20,000 or something, it's going to be rocking," he said. "I think especially with the fans this year, the energy, the environment, everyone's play is going to be one step higher. It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it."
Perfetti has eight days before camp begins. Until then, he's focused on the Manitoba Moose and the two-game set they have in Belleville this weekend.
"I'm going to have my mind set on that and take care of business there and then switch to the world junior mindset after that," he said. "For the next week here, it's all Manitoba Moose and kind of nothing else, really."
