JJ Peterka to return to play in Germany

The Buffalo Sabres recently announced their preseason schedule for the upcoming season. One game that JJ Peterka may have circled was announced in March. The 22-year-old left winger will lead Buffalo in an exhibition game on September 27th at Red Bull's Munich's SAP Garden in Germany.

Peterka was born in Munich and played for Red Bull Munich in 2019/2020 before entering the NHL Draft and being selected by Buffalo in the second round. The left winger that season scored seven goals and registered four assists, appearing in 42 games for Red Bull.

JJ also has proudly represented the German national team since he began playing. He was a part of German U-18 team and both junior and senior national teams. At the 2023 IIHF World Championships, he helped lead Germany to the silver medal. It was the country's first medal in the tournament since 1953.

During the tournament, he had six goals and six assists in only 10 games. He was named the best forward and named Media All-Star Team after it finished. Peterka should be well received when entering the arena for his international play and time with Buffalo.

Last season, he had a career high in points and assists while playing all 82 games. The German forward was the only member of the Sabres to play a full season.

Peterka will join forward Lukas Rousek as European players who will play in their hometowns next season. Rousek is set to lead Buffalo to two regular season games in October in his hometown of Prague, Czechia. The forward played club hockey in Prague from 2017 to 2021. Last season, while with Buffalo, he saw ice time in 15 games, connecting on two assists.

As the NHL continues to try and grow the international game, it will be important for them to feature hometown heroes. One would expect a hero's welcome for Rousek and Peterka this fall.