"I was kind of in shock when he told me and I'm still not really sure how to describe the feeling," Perlini said while seated on an airplane awaiting departure to Columbus. "It's an awesome feeling to have and I'm just extremely grateful for the opportunity that they're going to give me. It's pretty sweet. I'm excited to get going."
The Coyotes selected Perlini 12th overall at the 2014 NHL Draft, and he has been tearing it up in the AHL this season, his first as a pro. He leads the Roadrunners and co-leads the AHL with 11 goals in 16 games, and the league recently named him its Rookie of the Month for November.
"Being in the AHL has helped me a lot," Perlini said. "I've been working really hard and improving every day and I feel I've earned this chance. I've played well to start the season and that's a bonus. My confidence is high. I'm going to keep playing my game. I don't plan on changing anything. What I've done so far in the AHL, I'm just going to try and do it in the NHL."
Perlini, 20, is known for his speed and for his shot. He has taken 43 for Tucson this season and with 11 goals owns a 25.6 shooting percentage. Six of his goals are power-play goals. He credits AHL veterans Craig Cunningham and Chris Mueller with helping him succeed and adjust to pro hockey.
Perlini said he's learned plenty during his time in the AHL about team structure, making "the little plays" and patience with the puck, to name just a few things.
"Brendan possesses elite speed and goal scoring ability," Coyotes General Manager John Chayka said. "He has led the AHL in scoring early on and we believe he has earned the opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level."
Arizona has lost its past three games (0-1-2) and scored just six goals in those games. The Coyotes will play at Columbus on Monday and at Chicago on Tuesday. The roster is deep at left wing with Max Domi, Jamie McGinn, Tobias Rieder and Lawson Crouse, but Perlini will be in the lineup for one, if not both, of those games.
"I'm not sure who I'm going to be playing with or on what line I'll play," Perlini said. "Regardless, I'm just going to take it as it comes and roll with it, just like I have in the AHL. I've been trying to learn more every day and get better."
Perlini said his mother and father, and his older brother Brett, are planning to be at Nationwide Arena for Monday's game. So are his billet parents from his junior hockey days with the Niagara IceDogs. He said he's excited to play his first NHL game in front of them, and also against his very good friend Zach Werenski, a rookie defenseman with the Blue Jackets.
