Perry Berezan

Centre Perry Berezan was a fine playmaker as an amateur but adapted himself to a defensive role in the NHL. His solid defensive play and consistent effort allowed him to play nearly 400 NHL games during a solid career.

The native of Edmonton, Alberta was a prolific scorer with the At. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior league for two seasons. After a 37-goal output in 1982-83, he was chosen 56th overall by the Calgary Flames at the Entry Draft. Berezan's next step was to enroll at the University of North Dakota in 1983 where scored 51 goals in two years with Fighting Sioux. He joined the Flames for nine late season games and two post-season matches in 1984-85 before preparing for training camp.

The hard working forward impressed the Flames' brass and made the team in 1985-86. He scored 33 points and was a +19 as a rookie playing at even strength and on the penalty-killing unit. That spring he was credited with the winning goal in the quarter-final upset of the Edmonton Oilers after Steve Smith put the puck in his own net during the third period of the seventh game. Calgary made it all the way to the finals that year but fell short against the Montreal Canadiens.

During the late 1980s, Berezan played less as a result of nagging injuries and the immense depth on the Calgary roster. Prior to the trade deadline in March 1989, he was sent to the Minnesota North Stars where he was a solid role player for parts of three seasons. In 1991 he was claimed by the expansion San Jose Sharks and scored 12 goals for the new club in its first year. He retired in 1993 after playing one more year in San Jose.