Kenny Pereira is the most capped Canadian hockey player
In the Athletes Category, Field Hockey Canada proudly inducts Ken Pereira, a field hockey icon whose legacy is unparalleled.
Pereira holds the record as the most capped Canadian player with an astounding 410 international appearances, having graced every major stage in the sport. His journey began in Toronto, where he initially played ice hockey and soccer. However, his curiosity about field hockey was piqued by his brother and cousin’s involvement in the sport.
Reflecting on his early impressions, Pereira admitted that field hockey wasn’t love at first sight, but rather slowly developed into a sport he couldn’t get away from.
“To be honest, I didn’t love field hockey at first because I thought it was a bit slow on grass compared to ice hockey,” said Pereira. “It wasn’t until I played in my first national championship with Ontario at the U18 level, and then switched to turf, that I began to appreciate the speed and excitement of the game. That’s when I realized it was something I could really enjoy.”
Periera’s potential quickly became evident. He progressed from playing at the club level to joining the national team at 21 years old. “I started a bit late, with my first camp being in 1994, but once I began playing, it was fantastic,” Pereira recalled. “Even when we lost, there were always lessons to learn, and that kept me motivated to push forward.”
True to his philosophy, Periera’s resilience was on display after scoring the gold-medal-winning goal at the 1999 Pan American Games after the team came second in the previous pan american games
“It was late in the second half, and I found myself in the right place at the right time,” Periera said. “The ball came across, and I tapped it in. I don’t even know if it hit the backboard—it might have just crossed the line. But when it did, I went absolutely wild.”
Periera’s goal was instrumental in sending Team Canada to its first Olympic Games in 12 years. “I remember waking up each morning and hearing teammates excitedly announce, ‘We’re going to Sydney, we’re going to the Olympics,’” Periera reflected. “The realization that we had qualified for the Olympics was the greatest thing an amateur athlete could experience.”
His success continued internationally as he played professionally in Europe and wrapped up his career with notable achievements, including two Olympic Games, two World Cups, five Pan American Games, three Pan American Cups, four Commonwealth Games, and three Indoor World Cups. A highlight came during the 2010 Commonwealth Games when he was appointed as the flag bearer for Team Canada in his parents’ hometown of New Delhi. “Walking out with the flag in my parents’ hometown was incredibly special,” Periera remembered. “The flood of congratulatory emails I received after telling my parents was overwhelming.”
After stepping away from outdoor competition, Periera continued to contribute to the sport by playing for the indoor national team in later years. Looking back on his illustrious career, Periera expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who truly enjoyed the game. “Whether it was an exhibition match or a high-pressure game, I always showed up ready to play and have fun,” he said. “I hope to be remembered as someone who always had a smile on his face and loved playing.”
As Ken Periera joins the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame, his legacy stands as a testament to his extraordinary career and enduring passion for the sport. His contributions continue to inspire and set a high standard for future generations of field hockey players.
