Mike David Peluso
Encyclopedia
Michael David Peluso, is an American former professional ice hockey
player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer
throughout his National Hockey League
(NHL) career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998. He is currently a scout for the Edmonton Oilers
, operating out of Minnesota
.
but was never signed, opting to instead secure his education by playing with the University of Alaska until 1989. The Chicago Blackhawks signed him as a free agent in 1989, and he started his National Hockey League
career with the Blackhawks in 1990. When he joined the Hawks he was switched to forward and was encouraged to fight if he wanted to stay in the lineup. His first fight came in his first game against the Minnesota North Stars
when he fought Basil McRae
. He would record 728 penalty minutes in his first two seasons.
He would spend parts of three years in Chicago before going to the new Ottawa Senators
in the expansion draft
in 1992. In one successful season in Ottawa he set the club record for penalty minutes, but was allowed to play a more offensive role, scoring 15 goals and becoming perhaps the team's most popular player. On June 26, 1993, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils
to complete an earlier transaction that sent Craig Billington
, Troy Mallette
and New Jersey's 4th round choice (Cosmo Dupaul) in 1993 Entry Draft
to Ottawa. In New Jersey, he would win a Stanley Cup
in 1995.
As in Ottawa, Peluso became somewhat of a cult hero in New Jersey where his gritty, hard-nosed style won the fans' appreciation. Peluso played with emotion and was known to be an intimidating figure both on and off the ice. He was an integral part of the infamous "Crash Line" with Randy McKay and Bobby Holík
, a fourth-line combination that provided energy and timely goal-scoring during the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup run.
Perhaps the most lasting image though of Peluso's playing career was the sight of him unable to leave the bench during the Stanley Cup clinching game for the Devils in 1995 because he was overcome with emotion that he was about to have his name etched on hockey's holy grail forever. The irony of seeing one of the NHL's toughest crying on the bench is an image that will endure through the annals of hockey history.
Later in his career he would also play for the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames
. His career came to an end after suffering a spinal cord injury in 1997. He retired after the 1997–1998 season.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer
Enforcer (hockey)
Enforcer is an unofficial role in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter", "tough guy", or "goon". NHL players regarded as enforcers include Tiger Williams, Tony Twist, Bob Probert, Dave Semenko, Dave Schultz, Tie Domi, Dave Brown, Joey Kocur, Clark Gillies, Stu Grimson,...
throughout his National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998. He is currently a scout for the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, operating out of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
Playing career
Mike Peluso, then known as a slick defenseman, was drafted in 1985 by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
but was never signed, opting to instead secure his education by playing with the University of Alaska until 1989. The Chicago Blackhawks signed him as a free agent in 1989, and he started his National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
career with the Blackhawks in 1990. When he joined the Hawks he was switched to forward and was encouraged to fight if he wanted to stay in the lineup. His first fight came in his first game against the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
when he fought Basil McRae
Basil McRae
Basil McRae played his major junior hockey with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey Association .In the 1980 NHL entry draft, the Quebec Nordiques drafted McRae in the 3rd round, 87th overall...
. He would record 728 penalty minutes in his first two seasons.
He would spend parts of three years in Chicago before going to the new Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the expansion draft
1992 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1992 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 18, 1992. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two expansion teams for the 1992–93 season, the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Rules:...
in 1992. In one successful season in Ottawa he set the club record for penalty minutes, but was allowed to play a more offensive role, scoring 15 goals and becoming perhaps the team's most popular player. On June 26, 1993, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
to complete an earlier transaction that sent Craig Billington
Craig Billington
-International:-External links:*...
, Troy Mallette
Troy Mallette
Troy Matthew Mallette is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Mallette played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Playing career:Mallette was drafted 22nd overall by the...
and New Jersey's 4th round choice (Cosmo Dupaul) in 1993 Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
to Ottawa. In New Jersey, he would win a Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1995.
As in Ottawa, Peluso became somewhat of a cult hero in New Jersey where his gritty, hard-nosed style won the fans' appreciation. Peluso played with emotion and was known to be an intimidating figure both on and off the ice. He was an integral part of the infamous "Crash Line" with Randy McKay and Bobby Holík
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
, a fourth-line combination that provided energy and timely goal-scoring during the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup run.
Perhaps the most lasting image though of Peluso's playing career was the sight of him unable to leave the bench during the Stanley Cup clinching game for the Devils in 1995 because he was overcome with emotion that he was about to have his name etched on hockey's holy grail forever. The irony of seeing one of the NHL's toughest crying on the bench is an image that will endure through the annals of hockey history.
Later in his career he would also play for the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. His career came to an end after suffering a spinal cord injury in 1997. He retired after the 1997–1998 season.