Mike Peluso
Born (1974-09-02) September 2, 1974
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 19982004

Mike "Loose" Peluso (born September 2, 1974) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger 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.

Playing career

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

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

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1992–93 Omaha Lancers USHL 4521123331 95498
1993–94 Omaha Lancers USHL 4836296577
1994–95 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 3811233438
1995–96 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 3825194464
1996–97 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 3720204053
1997–98 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 40242145100
1998–99 Portland Pirates AHL 2676136
1999–00 Portland Pirates AHL 7125295486 42020
2000–01 Portland Pirates AHL 1912102217
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 4417234022 113364
2001–02 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 3742619
2001–02 Norfolk Admirals AHL 29189274 41010
2002–03 Norfolk Admirals AHL 7424315535 91234
2003–04 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 10000
2003–04 Philadelphia Phantoms AHL 7213183187 50114
AHL totals 335116126242257 33761312
NHL totals 3824619

International

Year Team Event GPGAPtsPIM
2000 United States WC 72240
Senior totals 72240

Awards and honors

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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