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 04/04/08 --- Catching up With --- Joel Perrault
Perrault started the season with the Rampage and had 14 goals in 28 games, earning a promotion to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Q: What has life been like for you in the NHL?
A: It's been a lot of fun. That's why you play hockey, to one day make it to the NHL. Everything is better. The food is better, the hotels. There are some late nights with travel, but it's been great.
Q: Has it been gratifying for you to spend the majority of the season with Phoenix after all the things you've been through?
A: I try not to think about all the things that happened in the past. But when I do, I am really proud of myself. When good things happen, you try to remember what happened in the past and it's even better. The coaches in San Antonio really helped me out. They were giving me a lot of ice time and prepared me really well. I think that gave me a great opportunity once I was in the NHL.
Q: What has been different for you in the NHL as opposed to your time spent in the AHL?
A: Everything is different. The game is faster and quicker. Everytime you start in a new league, there is a little bit of an adjustment. It was the same way when I started in juniors. It takes a little time to adjust, but it's just been a great experience for me.
Q: Have you been able to follow the Rampage while you've been up there?
A: Yeah, a lot. Guys that were called up to Phoenix, I would talk to them about it. I look online a lot to see how the team is doing. They're in a really tight race down there. I'm glad to see the team doing well.
Q: You've been in the thick of a playoff race for most of the season in Phoenix, what has that been like?
A: It was really fun. Every game since Christmas was like the playoffs, and I think that kind of wore us down the last eight to 10 games. It's been tough to have the same focus after we fell out of it, but we've still got a lot to play for, especially since we're such a young team. I think what we're building here is only going to get better, and that's what we want to do as the season winds down.
Q: What kind of expectations did you have for yourself heading up, and have you exceeded those expectations?
A: When I was called up, I wanted to make sure I gave a good impression right away. I wanted to prove to them what I could do. They gave me a chance to do it and I've played for two and a half months on the first line with Shane Doan. So it's been really fun.
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