J.J. Peterka was on a golf trip in Spain when he got the news.
The Utah Mammoth were making a deal for the Buffalo Sabres forward. What’s more, a five-year, $38.5 million contract was on the table.
“Obviously, first of all, it was a weird feeling. Never gone through something like that,” Peterka said. “But then just excitement. I was super pumped.”
It was the 23-year-old’s first time getting traded in the NHL. Peterka was selected 34th overall by Buffalo in 2020 and had skated in their system ever since. While the fresh start was reportedly wanted, it still took a second to process.
It helped that Julian Lutz — a 2022 second-round pick of the Mammoth — was with Peterka when he found out. Lutz and Peterka are both from Germany and have known each other for around 10 years through local teams and offseason training.
“We were pretty happy,” Peterka said.
Utah sent Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan to the Sabres in exchange for Peterka, who it hopes can bring a scoring spark to its top six and become a part of its young core. This role is something that attracted Peterka once the trade was made.
“When you look at the roster, how many young players are there who are already so good. I think, just like timeline-wise for me, it’s going to be a perfect fit. Growing together with those guys and hopefully winning a lot of games,” Peterka said. “I think the team has a lot of skill. The speed they play with got me most excited. How quick they move the puck, and that they have some serious players that can make a lot of good plays. That was pretty cool to watch.”
Peterka also mentioned the new South Town practice facility — which is on schedule to open in early September — and the organization’s commitment to winning as reasons why he wanted to be in Salt Lake City long term.
The Mammoth will surround Peterka with guys like Logan Cooley (21 years old) and Dylan Guenther (22 years old) as they all push towards their prime. Cooley and Guenther carried much of the load offensively last season, posting 65 and 60 points, respectively. The expectation is that Peterka adds to that.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley prepares for a face-off versus the Seattle Kraken at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The Munich native had 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) in 77 games in his final run in Buffalo while skating on the first line and first power play unit. He and Utah management believe his ceiling is much higher, though.
“I think there’s still a lot left. That’s why I have to work hard every day,” Peterka said. “I told them I’m going to work my ass off in the offseason.”
While Peterka’s offensive flair is the highlight of this deal, his defensive game will need to evolve in the Mammoth’s system — especially with head coach André Tourigny at the helm, demanding a dedicated two-way effort from all his players. Tourigny has no problem cutting the minutes of those who ignore their 200-foot responsibilities.
Peterka said he has already talked to Tourigny and gotten a preview of his coaching style from former teammate Jack Quinn. Quinn, who is a 23-year-old forward for the Sabres, played in the Ontario Hockey League for the Ottawa 67’s from 2018-2020 when Tourigny was the head coach and vice president of hockey operations there.
“I talked to Quinn, actually, a lot about [Tourigny],” Peterka said. “He really liked him as a coach and as a person. He said he’s a hard coach but a really good coach. That got me really excited.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny speaks before Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
With training camp only two months away, Peterka has an added determination to come into his new team ready to compete and prove himself. He said he is training with EHC Red Bull München back home, which is a professional hockey team in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (Germany’s highest league). Peterka is also doing a hockey camp in Switzerland.
Salt Lake City will no doubt be a stark change in environment from what Peterka knows in Europe and, even more so, in Buffalo. But he is ready to take it all in.
“I’m actually pretty excited about the mountains there,” Peterka said. “I’m from Munich, and it’s like one hour if you drive south, you’re in the mountains. Growing up, that was pretty cool. I think it will feel like home.”
Peterka will have ample time to really make Utah feel like home thanks to the five-year term on his contract. It was not a random number that both sides settled on; it represented confidence from the team and player that Peterka can be an important part of the Mammoth’s future.
“I think that just shows how committed I am to Utah, how excited I am. And how much I believe in that group, what they’ve got going and what they’re building there,” Peterka said. “That’s why I decided to do that. Super excited now to meet all the guys and get things going.”
