JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in Munich

Friday, 12. May 2023 | JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in Munich

JJ Peterka: The NHL player on Munich ice// CURRENTOn Tuesday, he returned to the place where it all began. John-Jason Peterka left Oberwiesenfeld for North America two years ago. In the meantime, the Munich native has made his breakthrough in the NHL in the jersey of the Buffalo Sabres.

But his Munich guest appearance already started on April 23. On that day, Peterka, whom everyone just calls JJ (pronounced Dschäi-Dschäi), landed at Munich Airport after a long season overseas. Just a few hours after his arrival in his Bavarian homeland, the 21-year-old was sitting in the stands of the Olympia-Eisstadion.

After all, the forward definitely didn't want to miss the fifth game of the DEL final series between EHC Red Bull München and ERC Ingolstadt. Crossing his fingers helped. The Red Bulls won 3:1 and claimed the fourth championship title in the club's history.

Peterka shines in top line

A good two weeks later, Peterka moved from the stands to the ice in his former living room. There, where he once learned to play ice hockey as a bambini with EHC München e.V., he was defeated 3:6 in the last World Cup test game against the USA on May 9 in the jersey of the German national team. But together with the two ex-Munich players Dominik Kahun and Frederik Tiffels he formed the first forward line and was convincing. The trio harmonized better and better as the game progressed, and JJ set up Kahun's second German goal while kneeling.

JJ Peterka überzeugt vor seinem Sprung in die NHL bei den Red Bulls

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A bigger role in the DEB team

The line is also expected to take the ice together in the World Cup opener on May 12 against Sweden. "We just want to play our game and impose on the opponent. I think we have a good squad. We don't want to hide," Peterka explained. The offensive player is competing in his second World Championship after 2021 and enters the tournament full of confidence after a strong season in Buffalo.

"I've gained a lot of experience over the last two years. I now want to bring this knowledge to the national team. I think I can also take on more responsibility in certain situations," said the 2020 second-round draft pick.

Lucky number 77 - "It was a very awesome year"

For the Buffalo Sabres, JJ just completed his first full NHL season. In 77 games in the best league in the world, number 77, which Peterka also wore on his back in 74 games for the Red Bulls between 2019 and 2021, recorded twelve goals and 20 assists. He narrowly missed the playoffs with his team. "It was a very awesome year. Of course, there were ups and downs. After all, I wasn't used to playing so many games. But fortunately I had really good phases as well," Peterka looks back with satisfaction.

The left-footed player would like to improve his goal output in the future. "I had a lot of chances that didn't lead to a goal. It's a learning process. Next year, I'm going to put them in," he promises with a laugh.

JJ Peterka: Schon immer ein Münchner

Summer training with the Red Bulls

The schedule for the summer is already set. After the World Cup, a well-deserved vacation with friends is first on the agenda before JJ will start preparing for the new season. "I think that I will train with the guys again in Munich. I want to improve my speed and become even more agile," he describes the focus of his personal training plan.

In addition, his focus is on building muscle. "When you play against top defensemen in the NHL, you feel how well they work in the face-offs and on the boards. I want and need to get stronger," he explains. Then the 2023/24 season can come.

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