Corey Perry reveals message he'll 'pass along' to Blackhawks youngsters

This season, Corey Perry will be the grizzled veteran in a Chicago Blackhawks room made up mostly of early to mid-20-somethings. But, Perry has been in their shoes - or skates - before, and recently he revealed what wisdom he plans to impart to the Blackhawks youth.

"I remember walking into that (Anaheim) dressing room and they said, 'Don't take it for granted and make sure you remember everything,'" Perry told Matt Carlson of The Hockey News. "That's something I'll pass along to these young guys." 

If there's anyone that would know, it'd be Perry. The 38-year-old is entering his 19th NHL season and has played nearly 1,000 career games, winning a Stanley Cup and a Hart Trophy. Now, on the backend of his career, he decided to join a re-building Blackhawks team where he hopes some of his experience rubs off on tomorrow's stars, including No. 1 pick Connor Bedard. 

Many regard Bedard as one of the best prospects in years, and while he's undoubtedly got the talent to succeed in the NHL, Perry cautioned that the "league is not easy." 

"That's why you have to do what you have to do," Perry said, "that's kind of what's kept me in this league." 

Perry's high-scoring days are way behind. Once a 50-goal scorer (2010-11), Perry had only 12 a season ago for the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, for a Blackhawks team that's re-building and coming off three consecutive losing seasons, a player with Perry's experience will be invaluable as the franchise tries to bounce back nearly a decade removed from their last Stanley Cup.