Hailing from Hibbing, Minnesota Perpich was recruited to play for the home state Golden Gophers under Glen Sonmor.
[1] Under new bench boss Herb Brooks Perpich saw greater ice time, culminating in Minnesota's first national title in his senior season while also acting as an alternate captain.
[3] In 1978 Perpich returned to his alma mater, becoming an assistant on Brooks' staff just in time to be part of Minnesota's third national title.
Though the US failed to medal in either of the two years he was with the team Perpich was offered the head coaching job at St.
After a year away from the game Perpich returned to the NHL as a scout for the expansion Atlanta Thrashers and worked for the team for its entire existence, remaining with the franchise even after it moved and became the Winnipeg Jets.