The Anaheim Ducks have bought out the contract of veteran winger Corey Perry, the team announced Wednesday.
Perry had 10 points in 31 games of an injury-plagued 2018-19 campaign. He underwent surgery after tearing his meniscus and injuring a ligament in his right knee before a pre-season game, but returned to the Ducks’ lineup in February.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in my 44 years in the NHL. Corey gave everything to this franchise for 14 years, never giving an inch to his competitors. While his scoring touch is undeniable, his will to win became his greatest attribute,” said Anaheim’s executive vice-president and general manager Bob Murray in a press release.
“We thank Corey for everything he’s meant to the Ducks organization. No matter what he elects to do from here, Corey, his wife, Blakeny and his son, Griffin, will always be part of the Ducks family.”
The former Hart Memorial Trophy winner was the team’s highest-paid player with two years left on his eight-year contract at $8.625 million.
He spent 14 years in Anaheim, collecting 776 points across 988 games.
Perry, 34, made four all-star teams, capturing the Hart and the Maurice Richard Trophy after his 50-goal, 98-point season in 2010-11.
The native of Peterborough, Ont., is also one of 29 Canadian members of the Triple Goal Club, having won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007, Olympic gold medals (2010 and 2014) and a world championship gold medal (2016).
“On behalf of the entire Ducks organization, we want to thank Corey Perry for his tremendous contributions to the franchise. For many years, Corey has epitomized what it means to be a Duck, playing an aggressive, relentless game while being a compassionate and giving member of the Orange County community,” said Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli.
“While today is a difficult day, we celebrate and recognize Corey’s outstanding Ducks career. He played the most games by any player in club history and is the only Hart Trophy winner in the history of the franchise. He represented the Ducks at four NHL all-star games, and of course, played a pivotal role on the 2007 Stanley Cup champion team.”
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