Photo by: Omaha Lancers
Peltonen signs to join Wisconsin men’s hockey
June 27, 2018 | Men's Hockey
Defenseman set to join the Badgers this fall
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin men's hockey head coach Tony Granato has announced the signing of defenseman Jesper Peltonen to a National Letter of Intent. Peltonen is expected to join the Badgers for the fall semester.
The 5-11 and 180-pound rear guard skated for the USHL's Omaha Lancers during the 2017-18 season and posted four goals and nine points in 56 games played. He helped Omaha place second in the USHL's Western Conference. He also added a goal and two assists in four games of the playoffs, which tied for second on the team.
A Helsinki, Finland, native, Peltonen went to Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York, the same school that head coach Tony Granato attended, as well as current UW goaltender Johan Blomquist.
In his last year in 2016-17, Peltonen scored 15 goals and 35 points in 46 games for Northwood School Junior after posting six goals and 21 points in 50 games during 2015-16.
Granato on Peltonen
"He's a smart, solid defenseman. He makes really smart decisions with the puck and defends well. He makes good outlet passes and plays a reliable and steady game."
Peltonen comes from athletic bloodlines, including his sister, Emmi, who competed for Finland in figure skating at the 2018 Olympic Winter games in PyeongChang, South Korea. His father, Ville, played nearly 400 NHL games over eight seasons for San Jose, Nashville and Florida. Ville is also a four-time Olympian for Finland, winning three bronze medals and a silver medal between 1994 and 2010. He owns 13 medals at the international level.
Jesper's grandfather, Esa Peltonen, also skated at four Olympics for Finland between 1968 and 1980 and is a member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame.
The 5-11 and 180-pound rear guard skated for the USHL's Omaha Lancers during the 2017-18 season and posted four goals and nine points in 56 games played. He helped Omaha place second in the USHL's Western Conference. He also added a goal and two assists in four games of the playoffs, which tied for second on the team.
A Helsinki, Finland, native, Peltonen went to Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York, the same school that head coach Tony Granato attended, as well as current UW goaltender Johan Blomquist.
In his last year in 2016-17, Peltonen scored 15 goals and 35 points in 46 games for Northwood School Junior after posting six goals and 21 points in 50 games during 2015-16.
Granato on Peltonen
"He's a smart, solid defenseman. He makes really smart decisions with the puck and defends well. He makes good outlet passes and plays a reliable and steady game."
Peltonen comes from athletic bloodlines, including his sister, Emmi, who competed for Finland in figure skating at the 2018 Olympic Winter games in PyeongChang, South Korea. His father, Ville, played nearly 400 NHL games over eight seasons for San Jose, Nashville and Florida. Ville is also a four-time Olympian for Finland, winning three bronze medals and a silver medal between 1994 and 2010. He owns 13 medals at the international level.
Jesper's grandfather, Esa Peltonen, also skated at four Olympics for Finland between 1968 and 1980 and is a member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame.
Players Mentioned
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