Throwback Thursday-Mike Peluso

Mike Peluso

Chicago Blackhawks Career-1989-1992

Games-118

Goals-12

Assists-4

+/- -2

Penalty Minutes-743

Peluso’s time with the Chicago Blackhawks can be described with one word–>ENFORCER

Peluso is only one of three players in the NHL history to accumulate 400 penalty minutes which include Dave Schultz and Paul Baxter.  Peluso was signed as a free agent in 1989 by the Blackhawks and became the enforcer from day #1.

You don’t get to 400 penalty minutes without a few fights.  Here is a Peluso fight from 1992 that is called by Pat Foley and

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Peluso played two full seasons with the Blackhawks and it was two of the best seasons during the 1990’s! The 91 team won the President’s trophy and the 1992 team went on one of the best runs ever to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Those teams were full of talent, but Peluso was the guy that had everyone’s back.

Peluso would be off to the Ottawa Senators during the expansion draft, and then he would be traded to the New Jersey Devils. It was with the Devils that Peluso won a Stanley Cup Championship, but while winning it he said that coach Mike Keenan had given him the opportunity to be a NHL player.  Peluso one of the toughest enforcers ever but was the first to tears on the bench.  The best part of the last video may be watching the Red Wings lose!

A fighter/enforcer Peluso got his start in Chicago.  What memories do you have of Peluso?

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