Mike Peluso (ice hockey, born 1974)

Mike "Loose" Peluso (born September 2, 1974) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger[1] who played 38 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 2001–02 and 2003–04 seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers.

Mike Peluso
Born (1974-09-02) September 2, 1974 (age 50)
Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Chicago Blackhawks
Philadelphia Flyers
National team  United States
NHL draft 253rd overall, 1994
Calgary Flames
Playing career 1998–2004

Playing career

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He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 10th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He spent a majority of his career in the minor leagues, although he did see short amounts of time in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. Along with many call up's to the NHL Peluso was forced into retirement due to injuries Other notable hockey accomplishments: Mike is a top 20 all-time scorer in points and a top 10 all-time goal scorer at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Mike also holds the North Dakota High School hockey single season scoring record with 99 points in 23 games during the old 15-minute period era.

Peluso represented Team USA at the World Championships in Russia in 2000. Along with playing in the world championship, he represented Team USA in numerous other select teams over his career. He was also a 4-time AHL All-Star selection, and USHL All-Star two times, winning the hardest shot competition both years, registering shots close to 100 mph.

He retired after the 2003–04 NHL season. NHL lockout and injuries were reason for retirement. Mike had offers to play overseas and also to become a player coach in the AHL that lockout year, but chose to return to Bismarck.

Peluso went on to coaching back in North Dakota after retirement. Four seasons as an assistant coach with NAHL Bismarck Bobcats and 11 seasons as the head coach of the Bismarck High Demons. The Demons won their first State Title under Peluso in 2014. They were also lllState lllRunners-up five other times under Peluso's guidance and WDA Tournament lllChampions 6 times. Lots of Peluso's former players went on to play high-level juniors and Division I College.

Personal life

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Peluso is the younger cousin of Stanley Cup champion Mike Peluso, who also played for Chicago. A lot of Peluso's family members played at high levels. His uncle Tom was an All-American at the University of Denver and played professionally. His father Jim played at Denver for four years. His cousin Marco Peluso played at Minnesota-Duluth and went onto professional ice hockey. Two other cousins Chris Peluso and Molly Arola played at Bemidji State University. Two other distant cousins played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

As a head hockey coach at Bismarck High School, Peluso coached the team to their first-ever state title. He coached BHS for 11 seasons, bringing them to the state title game six times.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1992–93 Omaha Lancers USHL 45 21 12 33 31 9 5 4 9 8
1993–94 Omaha Lancers USHL 48 36 29 65 77
1994–95 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 38 11 23 34 38
1995–96 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 38 25 19 44 64
1996–97 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 37 20 20 40 53
1997–98 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 40 24 21 45 100
1998–99 Portland Pirates AHL 26 7 6 13 6
1999–00 Portland Pirates AHL 71 25 29 54 86 4 2 0 2 0
2000–01 Portland Pirates AHL 19 12 10 22 17
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 44 17 23 40 22 11 3 3 6 4
2001–02 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 4 2 6 19
2001–02 Norfolk Admirals AHL 29 18 9 27 4 4 1 0 1 0
2002–03 Norfolk Admirals AHL 74 24 31 55 35 9 1 2 3 4
2003–04 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2003–04 Philadelphia Phantoms AHL 72 13 18 31 87 5 0 1 1 4
AHL totals 335 116 126 242 257 33 7 6 13 12
NHL totals 38 2 4 6 19

International

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Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2000 United States WC 7 2 2 4 0
Senior totals 7 2 2 4 0

Awards and honors

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Award Year
USHL Clark Cup champion 1992–93, 1993–94
All-WCHA Rookie Team 1994–95
All-WCHA Third Team 1995–96, 1997–98
All-WCHA Second Team 1996–97
AHL All-Star Game 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
Inducted into Bismarck High School Hall of Fame 2007
Inducted into University of Minnesota Duluth Hall of Fame 2016
  • Inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame 2020
  • Holds the North Dakota high school single-season scoring record with 99 points in 23 games.
  • First Bismarck native to play in any of the four major North American sports leagues.

References

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