Mike Vogel has reported that Mathieu Perreault has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks. The Caps will receive Anaheim’s fourth-round pick in 2014 and minor-league LW John Mitchell.

Perreault was consistently among the Washington Capitals’ best possession players. He was an excellent passer. He was the team’s best celebrator. He didn’t know he was tiny. One time– in a big game against the Bruins– and without Ovechkin in the lineup— Perreault scored a hat trick. WITH HIS FACE.

Matty Perreault is a plucky little French Canadian sumbitch, and Bruce Boudreau’s Anaheim Ducks will be better for having him.

(Note: Perreault and his celebrations were going to be today’s countdown post. I guess we’ll just skip that now.)

Update: The Capitals have issued a press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 29, 2013

Capitals Acquire Fourth-Round Draft Pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and Forward John Mitchell from Anaheim for Forward Mathieu Perreault

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired a fourth-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and forward John Mitchell from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Mathieu Perreault, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Mitchell will report to Hershey.

Mitchell, 27, collected 14 points (10 goals, 4 assists) and 48 penalty minutes in 61 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season.

Perreault recorded 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in 39 games with Washington last season. The Drummondville, Quebec, native tallied 70 points (33 goals, 37 assists) in 159 career NHL games with the Capitals. Perreault was drafted by Washington in the sixth round (177th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Capitals open the regular season on Tuesday at United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let’s revisit the #PerryCelly fun. Why not, right?