CHRIS PELUSO

Bemidji State

Sr. | D | Wadena, Minn.

Key Statistics: Even though he has just one goal in 96 career games, Peluso set a career high with 13 assists last season. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft out of high school before playing two seasons with Sioux Falls of the USHL. He played with three different defense partners over the final five games of last season and is the nephew of former NHL enforcer Mike Peluso.

What He Does: He does what you want a defenseman to do - not be noticed - which is why he perfectly fits the A-Z mold. Peluso uses his skating ability to carry the puck if a first pass isn’t available. He was one of the unsung players who helped fuel the Beavers postseason run last season despite being outshot by a 2:1 margin.

The Bigger Picture: Peluso will be part of a solid defense corps that lost only one senior, and will help the transition of whoever wins the goaltender battle after the departure of Matt Dalton following his sophomore campaign.

Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore on Peluso: “He’s a great skater with good puck skills who helps generate offense as a transitional defenseman. He advances the puck with a pass or by beating forecheckers with his skating. His offensive dynamic is one that goes unnoticed.”