Newest Brahmas forward keeps the peace

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – For the better part of the first half of the 2009-10 season, the Central Hockey League Champion Texas Brahmas have been bullied by just about every team they’ve faced.   That changed on December 29^th when the club signed former NHL tough guy and professional boxer Nathan Perrott. The following evening, in his first game wearing the purple and black, Perrott made an immediate impact, scoring a power play goal and serving notice to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs that you don’t mess with Texas.  

Perrott, 33, has been known in his hockey career as “Rock,” which perfectly describes the 6’ 1”, 235 pound right wing’s physique; solid as a rock, with nary an ounce of fat on him. He’s a firm believer in the necessity of enforcers in professional hockey.   “It kind of polices itself sometimes; it’s good,” Perrott said. “If you take that out of the game, sometimes guys get stuck doing cheap, dirty plays…so you (take) out that element in there and guys are a little more aware of what they do if they’re going to be held accountable. The alternative is taking a beating or at least having to fight.”   Head Coach Dan Wildfong is happy to have Perrott in place so his other players can focus on winning games.   “Nathan’s been trying to ask guys to fight and really, no one’s obliged him yet,” Wildfong said. “He just has that presence out there – you know, he polices things pretty nicely and that’s something we didn’t have up until the end of the year. You can see that people aren’t taking liberties on us right now. That’s what he’s here for and he can play too. He’s not just a fighter.”   As a young man growing up in Ontario, Perrott had two dreams – to be a professional hockey player and a heavyweight boxer. He started boxing when he was 15 years old but left home at 18 to pursue a hockey career. Perrott played junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) for two seasons (1994-95, 95-96) where he tallied 108 points (48 G, 60 A) and 391 penalty minutes in 122 games played. Perrott was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (44th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He had a four-game call up to the Albany River Rats (AHL) during the 1995-96 season but saw little playing time. He was traded five games into the following season to the Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds where he scored 41 points (18 G, 23 A) with 120 penalty minutes in 37 games played.   For the next 10 seasons, Perrott played in the ECHL, IHL, AHL and NHL, where he played in 89 games with the Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars. After four games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) in 2007-08, Perrott went to Russia to play for Chekhov Vityaz (KHL) and remained with the team through last season. Perrott, who has never forgotten his dream of being a boxer, believes he’s had about 350 fights during his hockey career. During his time in Russia, Perrott struck up a friendship with former Olympic gold medalist and currant IBF number-one ranked heavyweight Alexander Povetkin. Perrott returned to the U.S. to New Jersey, settled there and hooked up with trainer Joe Grier. On September 11th, Perrott made his debut as a professional boxer, winning his first bout with a fourth round TKO.   He’d fought as an amateur before but after a few professional bouts, Perrott decided to return to his hockey roots.   “I really enjoy the boxing and I wish I could still do it but it’s hard, really hard,” Perrott said. “Financially, it was really hard on me. I was living in New Jersey, so it was hard being away from family all the time and you know, I’m a hockey player – I like to fight on the ice (laughing).”Perrott scored a goal in his first game as a Brahma but made it clear that while he can contribute in other ways; his focus is looking out for his teammates.   “I was playing with the Dallas Stars the last time I scored (laughing).” He said. “It was nice, you know…I can score goals, but I’m not a goal-scorer…my job is to be the first guy on the fore-check; you know, get your hits, try to run around and hit guys (laughing).”   As the Brahmas continue their run to the playoffs, they can be assured that their opponents will think twice before trying to take cheap shots or otherwise start anything with their players lest they be caught between a rock and a hard place – Perrott’s fist.   “If you’re going to do stupid things, you’re going to be held accountable,” Perrott said.      Contact the author/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com