Jacob Perreault has heeded the advice of his father, former NHL forward
Yanic Perreault
, to help solidify his status as a projected first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
"He told me to keep my eyes up and attack the net when in a good spot to shoot," Jacob said. "I can't be afraid to shoot because sometimes it's better to get it on net than make a play that won't work."
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The right wing with Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League is considered one of the better skaters and one of the finest shooters available in the 2020 draft.
Growing up, Perreault (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) worked on his shot with regularity in the basement of his Montreal home, along with his three siblings, Jeremy, Liliane and Gabriel.
"We do have a set-up in the basement where the kids worked on their skills and their shots," Yanic Perreault said. "We have a hockey tarp and a net with targets for accuracy. Jacob loved to work on things, and I tried to go work with them when I was home to help with their techniques and to make sure they had their eyes up when doing skills and shooting.
"Jacob also liked to go down there to play mini-hockey with his brothers and sister."
Those lessons paid off for Jacob. He led Sarnia with 39 goals, 15 power-play goals, 29 power-play points and 207 shots on goal in 57 games this season.
"He's got a lot of offensive ability, has an excellent shot," Joey Tenute of NHL Central Scouting said. "He's got a goal scorer's mentality, skates well, is creative with the puck and can make plays at top speed. He's got a lot of upside."
In two OHL seasons, the 18-year-old right-handed shot has scored 125 points (69 goals, 56 assists) in 120 games, with 22 power-play goals and 369 shots on goal.
"I'll always try to keep improving my shot, perfecting different ways to get it off," Perreault said. "I need to keep doing that because to get to the next level there are guys who can shoot the puck even better. I want to be the best of the best and do what other people aren't doing to separate myself from them."
Perreault, No. 17 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, compares his style to Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser and Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat.
"I'll always try and watch those guys with big shots ... also (Tampa Bay Lightning forward) Steven Stamkos and (Washington Capitals forward) Alex Ovechkin," he said. "I'll bring some elements into my game."
Perreault also is strong on the power play, capable of getting into position where he can unleash his big shot and provide offense.
"The power play is all about moving the puck well and getting shots on net," he said.
When Perreault started playing, he was a center, the position his father played for 14 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes and Blackhawks.
From 1997-98 to 2007-08, Yanic Perreault led all NHL players with a 60.9 winning percentage on face-offs (minimum 500 face-offs) and played in the 2007 NHL All-Star Game.
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