Perlini, a speedy forward taken by the Arizona Coyotes with the 12th pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, is one of the few players in the League during the past 40 years who was born in the United Kingdom. His father, Fred Perlini, played hockey for a decade in Britain after six seasons in North America that included two short stints in the NHL; the younger Perlini was born in Guildford, England, and grew up there before returning to Canada with his family in 2007.

Perlini had 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games with Niagara of the Ontario Hockey League in 2013-14, and spent two more seasons in junior hockey before turning pro in 2016-17. He started the season with Tucson, the Coyotes' affiliate in the American Hockey League but was called up by the Coyotes after scoring 11 goals in 16 AHL games. He made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 5, 2016, and scored his first goal five nights later against the Predators.

He finished his first NHL season with 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 57 games, then scored 14 times in his first 43 games of 2017-18, giving him 28 goals in his first 100 NHL games and solidifying his role as part of the core of the Coyotes' base of young talent.