Every day leading up to the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday, October 6, we will be profiling prospects who are likely to be in range of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ selection at #21. We will continue our player reviews of the forwards later in the week as well.
Jacob Perreault
Position: RW
Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Date of Birth: April 15, 2002
Birthplace: Montréal, Quebec
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 198
Shoots: Right
Rankings
Ranked #23 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #23 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #27 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #40 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #28 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #17 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #25 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #21 by TSN/McKenzie
2019-20 Stats
Games Played: 57
Goals: 39
Assists: 31
Points: 70
PIM: 40
Of all the ailments the Blue Jackets are diagnosed with that they’re looking to treat in the upcoming draft, the common denominator prognosis is this: they need players who are going to score.
Enter Jacob Perreault!
Elite Prospects reports that Perreault “is a pure sniper with one of the best shots in this draft class. It’s accurate, hard, and he can score from anywhere.” Ding ding ding! Sounds like exactly the injection of energy and scoring capability that this team so sorely needs.
Perreault comes from hockey – his father, Yanic Perreault, played for the Maple Leafs, Kings, and Canadiens in his 15-year NHL career. So although he’s young, he was literally born and bred for this environment, and would be a great snag for the Blue Jackets to make in the upcoming draft if they’re being serious about building out their offensive capabilities.
Lacking in some of Perreault’s scouting reports is strength as a defender, which I will chalk up to his youth and his overall strength on offense. He’ll have to shape up quickly in that regard no matter what NHL team he ends up on, but it makes me feel like he’ll be a good fit for developing with the CBJ, where defense is the name of the game.
Scouting Reports
Perrault is a pure sniper with one of the best shots in this draft class. It’s accurate, hard, and he can score from anywhere. His ability to catch and shoot pucks in stride when the passes aren’t in the wheelhouse is a transferable skill that will serve him well. – EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide
“The son of a long time NHLer, Yanic Perreault, Jacob is an offensive threat who in his rookie year was up there with Byfield, Rossi and Perfetti. He has been stuck on a horrible Sting team yet still been able to shine without much help around him.” – Kevin Armstrong, The Hockey Writers (May 11)
“Another fascinating player in this draft class, whose best trait is goal-scoring. Yet there are question marks about his play away from the puck.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet (April 8)
“Jacob Perreault has been scoring the lights out recently in the OHL, coming on hot since the new year. He has a difference-making shot.” – Tony Ferrari, Dobber Prospects (January 29)
Here’s his OHL highlight reel:
What do you think? He would be an exciting addition to the roster in my opinion, but we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.