JJ Peterka

Peterka made his professional debut with EHC Red Bull München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). During the 2019–20 season he appeared in 42 games scoring seven goals and four assists for 11 points.^[1] Following the season, Peterka was drafted 34th overall in the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres.^[1] Peterka was projected to be a first-round pick before the draft, but fell to the Buffalo Sabres in the second round.^[2] He was said to be a great skater with great hands and great ability to make plays at top speed, while drawing a comparison to Patrick Kane.^[2] He was also said to be an unrelenting player who never gives up on the puck.^[1] Following the draft, Peterka went back to the DEL and played 30 games while scoring 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points in the 2020–21 season.^[1]

On 12 June 2021, Peterka was signed by the Buffalo Sabres to a three-year, entry-level contract.^[3] During the 2021–22 season, Peterka played for the Rochester Americans, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. He appeared in 70 games during his rookie season, scoring 28 goals and 40 assists for a total of 68 points. He also played in 10 playoff games that year, recording 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points.^[4]

Peterka made his NHL debut with the Sabres on 29 December 2021, in a 4–3 loss against the New Jersey Devils.^[5] After the game, the Sabres returned him to the AHL's Rochester Americans.^[6]

Peterka's first NHL goal came in the Sabres' 2022–23 season opener at home against the Ottawa Senators. His goal tied the game at 1–1 en route to a Buffalo 4–1 victory on 13 October 2022.^[7]

On 28 January 2025, Peterka scored his first career hat-trick in a 7–2 win over the Boston Bruins.^[8]

At the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, on 25 June 2025, as a pending restricted free agent, Peterka was traded from Buffalo to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. Peterka was immediately signed to a long term five-year, $38.5 million contract extension with the Mammoth.^[9]

Quick facts Medal record, Men's ice hockey ...

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Germany
World Championships
	2023 Finland/Latvia

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Peterka made his international debut with the Germany under-18 team at the 2019 World U18 Championship Division I, before joining the junior team for the 2020 and 2021 World Junior Championships.

Joining the senior team for the first time, Peterka made his World Championships debut at the 2021 edition. Two years later, he rejoined the national team for the 2023 World Championship, where Germany embarked on an unexpected deep run through the knockout round, defeating the heavily-favoured United States senior team in the semifinals to reach the gold medal game.^[10] Peterka scored the opening goal of the game, but Germany was ultimately defeated by Canada senior team, winning the silver medal, the nation's first at the World Championships since 1953.^[11] With six goals and six assists in 10 games, Peterka was given the IIHF directorate award for best forward, and named to the Media All-Star Team.^[12][13]

Peterka has two younger siblings, Tiffany and Jack. His German parents pointedly chose American sounding names for their children.^[14]