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Cal Petersen
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Calvin Louis Petersen[1] (born October 19, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fifth round, 129th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL entry draft. On July 1, 2017, he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Kings as an unrestricted free agent.[2]
Key Information
Prior to turning professional, Petersen played college ice hockey for the University of Notre Dame. He set an NCAA Division I record of 87 saves during the longest collegiate ice hockey game ever. Petersen was named to the All-Rookie Team and First All-Star Team while at Notre Dame.
Playing career
[edit]Petersen attended Waterloo West High School in Waterloo, Iowa. While in high school, he played junior ice hockey with the Topeka RoadRunners of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). After the 2012–13 season, he was drafted in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Petersen decided to attend university instead of turning professional immediately and played three seasons at the University of Notre Dame.
In his freshman season with Notre Dame, Petersen played in 33 games and posted a 13–16–3 record.[1] He helped lead Notre Dame to the Hockey East playoffs, playing in all six games.[1] On March 6, 2015, during first game of the Hockey East playoffs, Petersen set a Division 1 record 87 saves while playing in the longest collegiate hockey game against the UMass Minutemen. The game lasted five overtimes and ended in a 4–3 overtime loss.[3] Notre Dame later lost in the quarterfinals to UMass Lowell.[4] At the conclusion of the season, Petersen was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and to the 2015 Hockey East All-Academic Team.[1]
In his sophomore season, Petersen started in all 37 games of the season, posting a 19–11–7 record. As a result, Petersen was named a Honorable Mention Hockey East All-Star.[1] He was also named a finalist for the 2016 Mike Richter Award as the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men's ice hockey[5] and named team's most valuable player.[6]
In his junior year, Petersen was named team captain[7] and led his team to the 2017 Frozen Four where they lost 6–1 to the Denver Pioneers.[8] At the conclusion of the season, Petersen was named to the Hockey East First-Team All-Stars[1] and again named one of the finalists for the 2017 Mike Richter Award.[9]
On May 31, 2017, Petersen announced he was forgoing his final year of college eligibility, giving the Sabres 30 days to sign him before he became a free agent.[10] Negotiations failed with the Sabres and he became a free agent. On July 1, 2017, he signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings as an unrestricted free agent.[2]
Professional
[edit]Petersen began the 2018–19 season with the Ontario Reign after being cut from the Kings training camp.[11] On November 12, 2018, he was recalled from the Reign after Jack Campbell suffered a torn meniscus.[12] Petersen made his NHL debut the following night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming in to relieve starter Peter Budaj in the second period. The Kings lost 5–1 to the Maple Leafs with Petersen saving 15 shots and allowing one goal.[13] The following game, on November 16, Petersen earned his first NHL start in the United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks,[14] and recorded his first NHL win that night in a 2–1 shootout, making 34 saves in total.[15] Two games later, on November 19, Petersen recorded his first career NHL shutout by making 29 saves in a 2–0 win over the St. Louis Blues.[16]
On July 16, 2019, Petersen signed a three-year contract extension with the Kings.[17] He then began the 2019–20 season with the Reign. On January 3, 2020, Petersen was named to the AHL 2020 All-Star Game.[18]
On September 22, 2021, Petersen signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the Kings.[19]
On June 6, 2023, the Kings traded Petersen to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of a three-team trade, also involving the Columbus Blue Jackets.[20]
On February 28, 2024, the Flyers placed Petersen on waivers.[21]
On July 2, 2025, following two years within the Flyers organization, Petersen left as a free agent and was signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild for the 2025–26 season.[22]
International play
[edit]Petersen with Team USA in 2023 | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| 2021 Latvia | ||
On May 4, 2023, Petersen was named to the United States men's national ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.[23]
Personal life
[edit]Petersen's father, Eric, was also a goaltender. He played Division III hockey at Bethel University in Minnesota.[24]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2011–12 | Topeka RoadRunners | NAHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 129 | 4 | 0 | 1.86 | .925 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Waterloo Black Hawks | USHL | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 265 | 13 | 0 | 2.94 | .902 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Waterloo Black Hawks | USHL | 35 | 21 | 11 | 1 | 1937 | 96 | 3 | 2.97 | .906 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 126 | 15 | 0 | 4.26 | .881 | ||
| 2013–14 | Waterloo Black Hawks | USHL | 38 | 27 | 7 | 4 | 2229 | 93 | 2 | 2.50 | .915 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 760 | 30 | 0 | 2.37 | .928 | ||
| 2014–15 | Notre Dame | HE | 33 | 13 | 16 | 3 | 1892 | 79 | 4 | 2.51 | .919 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Notre Dame | HE | 37 | 19 | 11 | 7 | 2232 | 82 | 1 | 2.20 | .927 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Notre Dame | HE | 40 | 23 | 12 | 5 | 2375 | 88 | 6 | 2.22 | .926 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 41 | 23 | 14 | 2 | 2330 | 100 | 4 | 2.58 | .910 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 277 | 11 | 0 | 2.38 | .915 | ||
| 2018–19 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 38 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 2103 | 141 | 0 | 4.02 | .896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 622 | 27 | 1 | 2.60 | .924 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 37 | 17 | 15 | 4 | 2079 | 119 | 3 | 3.43 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 478 | 21 | 0 | 2.64 | .922 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 35 | 9 | 18 | 5 | 2016 | 97 | 0 | 2.89 | .911 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 37 | 20 | 14 | 2 | 2177 | 105 | 3 | 2.89 | .895 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 7.45 | .800 | ||
| 2022–23 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 544 | 34 | 0 | 3.75 | .868 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 40 | 16 | 20 | 4 | 2396 | 115 | 2 | 2.88 | .904 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 123 | 8 | 0 | 3.90 | .826 | ||
| 2023–24 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | AHL | 28 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 1680 | 76 | 2 | 2.71 | .902 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 355 | 16 | 1 | 2.70 | .887 | ||
| 2023–24 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 277 | 18 | 0 | 3.90 | .864 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | AHL | 31 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 1758 | 92 | 0 | 3.14 | .885 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 144 | 9 | 0 | 3.76 | .857 | ||
| NHL totals | 106 | 46 | 44 | 10 | 6,112 | 302 | 4 | 2.96 | .903 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 7.45 | .800 | ||||
International
[edit]| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | United States | IH18 | 5th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 9.00 | .727 | |
| 2021 | United States | WC | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 417 | 2 | 9 | 1.29 | .953 | ||
| 2023 | United States | WC | 4th | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 2 | 0 | 0.72 | .956 | |
| Junior totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 9.00 | .727 | ||||
| Senior totals | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 584 | 9 | 2 | 1.29 | .953 | ||||
Awards and honours
[edit]| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| College | ||
| All-Rookie Team | 2015 | [25] |
| Hockey East All-Academic Team | 2015 | [26] |
| First All-Star Team | 2017 | [27] |
| AHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2018, 2020 | [28][29] |
| International | ||
| Best Goaltender | 2021 | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Cal Petersen". und.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ a b Colleran, Dan (July 1, 2017). "Petersen Signs With The Los Angeles Kings". und.com. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^ "UMass tops Notre Dame in longest hockey game in NCAA History". wndu.com. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "Notre Dame hockey season ended by UMass-Lowell". onefootdown.com. March 16, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "Petersen Named a 2016 Mike Richter Award Nominee". und.com. February 26, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "Petersen named team MVP at annual Hockey Awards banquet". wndu.com. April 17, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "Petersen To Wear Captain's He went to school for 16 years including pre-k and the for years he had in college". und.com. August 31, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ Lowe, Steve (April 7, 2017). "Frozen Four meltdown for Notre Dame hockey". ndinsider.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "Finalists for 2017 Mike Richter Award announced". ncaa.com. March 23, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "GM Botterill expects Sabres to lose out on signing Petersen". tsn.ca. The Canadian Press. June 23, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Training Camp Roster Down to 26; Brickley, Clague, Petersen Sent to AHL". NHL.com. October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ "Cal Petersen Recalled from Reign, Jack Campbell Out 4-to-6 Weeks". NHL.com. November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^ Beacham, Greg (November 14, 2018). "Nazem Kadri, John Tavares lead Toronto's 5–1 rout of Kings". The News & Observer. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ Zupke, Curtis (November 16, 2018). "Kings goalie Cal Petersen gets his first NHL start at the place his collegiate career ended". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "RECAP: Kings 2, Blackhawks 1 SO". NHL.com. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ Korac, Louie (November 19, 2018). "Petersen gets first NHL shutout in Kings win against Blues". NHL.com. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- ^ "Cal Petersen Signs Three-Year, $2.575 Million Extension with LA Kings". NHL.com. July 16, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Rosters announced for 2020 AHL All-Star Classic". theahl.com. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "LA Kings Sign Goaltender Cal Petersen to a Three-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. September 22, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Flyers participate in three-team trade with Columbus and Los Angeles". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Flyers make a change in net, place Petersen on waivers, call up Sandstrom". February 28, 2024.
- ^ "Minnesota Wild Signs Five Players to Contracts". Minnesota Wild. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Pronman, Corey; Gentille, Sean (May 4, 2023). "Team USA announces men's roster for 2023 IIHF World Championship: Who made the cut?". The Athletic. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Whicker, Mark (December 18, 2018). "Whicker: Cal Petersen passed his Kings audition, and the main stage awaits". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "HOCKEY EAST ANNOUNCES 2014–15 PRO AMBITIONS ALL-ROOKIE TEAM". hockeyeastonline.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^ "2014–15 HOCKEY EAST ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS ANNOUNCED". hockeyeastonline.com. July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ "HOCKEY EAST HONORS 2016–17 ALL-STAR TEAMS". hockeyeastonline.com.
- ^ "ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC". theahl.com. January 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^ "Rosters announced for 2020 AHL All-Star Classic". theahl.com. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- Cal Petersen profile and statistics at TheAHL.com
Cal Petersen
View on GrokipediaEarly life and personal background
Family
Cal Petersen was born on October 19, 1994, in Waterloo, Iowa.[4] He is the son of Eric Petersen and Mary Petersen.[7] He has one younger sister, Annie.[7] His father, Eric, is a former Division III college goaltender who played at Bethel University in Minnesota and initially opposed his son taking up the position due to its demands.[8][9] However, Mary encouraged young Cal to try goaltending, overcoming her husband's reservations and sparking his passion for the role from an early age.[10] The Petersen family's support was pivotal in fostering Cal's development as a goaltender, with their encouragement guiding his initial steps into the sport despite the challenges of the position.[8] Eric's firsthand experience as a college goalie also motivated Cal, providing a relatable example that influenced his commitment to the craft.[11]Youth and education
Cal Petersen was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, a small industrial city in the northern part of the state known for its blue-collar community and strong local sports culture. Growing up in this Midwestern environment, Petersen was influenced by the region's emphasis on teamwork and perseverance. The Waterloo area, with its access to frozen ponds and indoor rinks during harsh winters, provided an ideal setting for young athletes like Petersen to develop an early interest in winter sports, including hockey. His formal education began at local elementary schools in Waterloo, where he balanced academics with extracurricular activities. Petersen attended Waterloo West High School, graduating in 2013 after a period marked by growing dedication to athletics.[7] At Waterloo West, he first engaged in organized high school sports programs, which introduced him to structured team environments and helped build his foundational skills in physical fitness and discipline. He played for the high school team for one year but did not earn varsity starts as a freshman.[11] Before entering more competitive junior leagues, Petersen's youth hockey experiences were rooted in local Iowa programs, starting with introductory clinics and recreational teams around age 8.[11] He initially played as a skater but switched to goaltending after his mother encouraged him to try the position, an interest sparked by his fascination with the goaltender's gear.[11][10] This transition marked the beginning of dedicated training sessions at community rinks, where he honed basic techniques through drills and scrimmages with peers from similar small-town backgrounds. Family encouragement provided the initial spark for his hockey interest, but it was the local coaching and peer support in Waterloo that solidified his commitment to the sport. As Petersen progressed through his teenage years, he focused on intensive hockey-specific regimens, including off-ice conditioning and summer camps in the Midwest. These early non-competitive experiences built his resilience and passion, preparing him for higher levels of play while maintaining strong ties to his Iowa roots. By the end of high school, his routine involved balancing schoolwork with near-daily rink time, reflecting the disciplined path typical of regional hockey prospects.Amateur career
Junior hockey
Cal Petersen began his junior hockey career in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Topeka RoadRunners during the 2011–12 season, appearing in two games and posting a 1.86 goals-against average (GAA) with a .925 save percentage. In limited action, he recorded a 1-0-1 record, allowing four goals on 53 shots faced.[12][4] Later that season, Petersen transitioned to the United States Hockey League (USHL), joining the Waterloo Black Hawks, where he would spend the next three years developing as a goaltender. In five regular-season games during 2011–12, he achieved a 3-1-0 record with a 2.94 GAA and .902 save percentage.[12] His role expanded significantly in the 2012–13 season, starting 35 games and helping the Black Hawks to a strong regular-season finish with a 21-11-1 record, 2.97 GAA, .906 save percentage, and three shutouts. In 2012–13, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.[12] In the playoffs that year, he appeared in four games, posting a 2-2-0 record despite a higher 4.26 GAA.[4] Petersen's performance peaked in the 2013–14 USHL season, where he became the Black Hawks' primary goaltender, playing 38 regular-season games with a 27-7-4 record, 2.50 GAA, .915 save percentage, and two shutouts.[12] He backstopped Waterloo to the Clark Cup playoffs, starting all 12 games with an 8-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA, and .928 save percentage, contributing to the team's championship run.[4] Over his full USHL tenure with Waterloo (78 regular-season games from 2011–14), he compiled a 51-19-5 record, 2.74 GAA, .910 save percentage, and five shutouts, establishing himself as one of the league's top young goaltenders.[13] His junior development caught the attention of NHL scouts, who praised his athletic butterfly style, quick footwork, and ability to make desperation saves while maintaining composure under pressure.[14] Ranked as the fourth-best North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting, Petersen was selected in the fifth round, 129th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. His steady improvement in the USHL, particularly his rebound control and focus through traffic, highlighted his potential as a pro prospect.[15]College career
Cal Petersen enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in 2014, joining the Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team as a freshman goaltender in the Hockey East Conference of NCAA Division I.[16] Over three seasons from 2014 to 2017, he appeared in 110 games, posting a career goals-against average (GAA) of 2.30, a save percentage of .924, 11 shutouts, and a 55-39-15 win-loss-tie record while accumulating 3,042 saves and 6,498 minutes played.[17] These figures ranked him first in program history for career save percentage, second for total minutes played, and third for total saves at the time of his departure.[17] Petersen's freshman year in 2014–15 featured a standout performance in the Hockey East semifinals on March 6, 2015, where he set an NCAA single-game record with 87 saves in a 4-3 five-overtime loss to the University of Massachusetts, marking the longest game in college hockey history at 140 minutes and 28 seconds.[1] For his efforts that season, he earned a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.[7] As a sophomore in 2015–16, Petersen started all 37 games, leading the nation in percentage of team minutes played (100%) with a 19-11-7 record, 2.20 GAA, .927 save percentage, and one shutout.[18] In his junior year of 2016–17, he served as team captain, starting all 40 games en route to a 23-12-5 record, 2.22 GAA, .926 save percentage, and six shutouts, while guiding Notre Dame to the Frozen Four.[4] His leadership and performance that season earned him First Team Hockey East All-Star honors.[19] Following his junior year, Petersen decided to forgo his senior season and turn professional, signing an entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings in July 2017.[20] He also started 90 consecutive games across his final two seasons at Notre Dame, the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history.[20]Professional career
Los Angeles Kings
Petersen signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2017, opting to forgo his senior season at the University of Notre Dame.[21] He began his professional career with the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign, during the 2017–18 season, where he established himself as a promising prospect with a strong rookie performance that included a 23–14–4 record, a 2.58 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage over 41 games.[22] His development in the AHL culminated in his selection to the 2018 AHL All-Star Game, highlighting his rapid adjustment to professional play. Petersen made his NHL debut with the Kings on November 13, 2018, entering in relief of Peter Budaj during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, where he stopped all six shots he faced in 35 minutes of play.[23] He earned his first NHL start three days later on November 16 against the Chicago Blackhawks, securing a 2–1 victory with 34 saves. In his third career start, Petersen recorded his first NHL shutout on November 19, 2018, against the St. Louis Blues, turning aside 29 shots in a 2–0 win.[24] During the 2018–19 season, he served primarily as a backup and spot starter to Jonathan Quick, appearing in 11 games with a 5–4–1 record, 2.61 goals-against average, and .924 save percentage. Over the following seasons, including 2019–20 and 2020–21, Petersen continued to split time between the NHL and AHL, gradually increasing his NHL appearances while honing his skills in Ontario. Petersen's role expanded significantly in the 2021–22 season, where he assumed a primary goaltending position, starting the Kings' season opener for the first time since Quick's tenure began and playing in 37 games with a 20–14–2 record, 2.89 goals-against average, and .895 save percentage.[25] The Kings qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, and Petersen made one appearance in their first-round series loss to the Edmonton Oilers. In 2022–23, however, his performance declined amid increased pressure as the expected successor to Quick, limiting him to 10 NHL games with a 2–6–2 record, 3.75 goals-against average, and .868 save percentage; he spent much of the season on loan with the Reign, where he posted a 21–15–3 record in 40 games.[22] On June 6, 2023, the Kings traded Petersen to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of a three-team deal also involving the Columbus Blue Jackets, in exchange for forward Ivan Provorov and other assets.[26]Philadelphia Flyers
Cal Petersen was acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers on June 6, 2023, as part of a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets, in which the Flyers received Petersen, defenseman Sean Walker, prospect Helge Grans, and a 2024 second-round draft pick in exchange for defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Hayden Hodgson.[26] The trade brought Petersen to Philadelphia under the remaining two years of his three-year, $15 million contract extension originally signed with the Kings in 2021, carrying a $5 million annual cap hit.[27] In the 2023–24 season, Petersen served primarily as a backup goaltender behind Samuel Ersson and Carter Hart, appearing in just five NHL games for the Flyers amid a rebuilding team's overall struggles that saw them finish ninth in the Metropolitan Division with 87 points, narrowly missing the playoffs.[28] His limited NHL action was marked by inconsistency, posting a 2–2–0 record with a 3.90 goals-against average (GAA) and .864 save percentage, including a challenging debut on November 4, 2023, against the Kings where he allowed five goals in a 5–0 shutout loss.[29] Petersen recorded his first win as a Flyer on November 11, 2023, stopping 23 of 26 shots in a 4–3 victory over the Kings, highlighting a brief positive contribution during the team's push for a wild-card spot.[30] However, his role diminished further after a poor performance on February 25, 2024, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he allowed seven goals on 32 shots (.781 save percentage), leading to his placement on waivers the next day; he cleared waivers and was assigned to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.[31] Petersen's 2024–25 season was spent entirely in the American Hockey League with the Phantoms, where he assumed a more prominent role as a starter amid the Flyers' ongoing goaltending depth issues and their fifth consecutive season without playoff qualification.[32] He appeared in 31 regular-season games, recording a 13–15–3 mark with a 3.14 GAA and .885 save percentage, providing steady but unremarkable support for a Phantoms team that finished with a sub-.500 record.[33] Key performances included a strong stretch in December 2024, where he posted a .910 save percentage over four games, helping stabilize the affiliate's defense during a period of multiple injuries to Philadelphia's NHL netminders.[22] Petersen was placed on waivers again on October 2, 2024, ahead of the NHL preseason but cleared without being claimed, remaining with the organization in the minors.[34] Following the conclusion of his contract after the 2024–25 season, Petersen became an unrestricted free agent and departed the Flyers organization, signing a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 2, 2025.[35] His tenure in Philadelphia, spanning two seasons, was characterized by limited NHL opportunities and a shift to AHL development, reflecting broader challenges in re-establishing his form after difficulties in Los Angeles.[36]Minnesota Wild
On July 2, 2025, Cal Petersen signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000 with the Minnesota Wild as an unrestricted free agent.[35] This deal positioned him as organizational depth behind established goaltenders Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt, offering a fresh start after a challenging tenure in Philadelphia.[27] Petersen participated in the Wild's 2025 training camp, where he competed for a potential backup role and made his first preseason appearance, starting against the Dallas Stars on September 23, 2025.[37] Despite a strong showing in camp practices noted for his positioning and athleticism, he was placed on waivers on October 5, 2025, for the purpose of assignment to the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Wild's primary affiliate; he cleared waivers the following day and reported to Iowa to begin the 2025–26 season.[38] Through the early portion of the 2025–26 AHL season as of November 15, 2025, Petersen has appeared in seven games for Iowa, recording a 2–5–0 mark with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage, including one shutout that highlighted his rebound control and glove hand.[22] His performances have shown signs of stabilization, with improved consistency in high-danger saves compared to prior seasons, contributing to Iowa's competitive standing in the Central Division.[39] As the third goaltender on Minnesota's depth chart, Petersen remains positioned for a possible NHL recall during the 2025–26 season, particularly in the event of injuries to Gustavsson or Wallstedt, providing the Wild with reliable emergency optionality amid a demanding schedule.[40] This opportunity aligns with his ongoing career revival, as the structured environment in Minnesota has allowed him to rebuild confidence through regular starts in Iowa.[5]International play
IIHF World Championships
Cal Petersen represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship in 2021 and 2023, serving as a key goaltender for Team USA in both tournaments. The 2021 edition, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, took place from May 21 to June 6 in Riga, Latvia. Petersen was added to the roster on May 16, 2021, following a strong rookie season with the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL.[41] In the 2021 tournament, Petersen appeared in seven games, posting a 5–2 record with a 1.29 goals-against average (GAA) and .953 save percentage, the best marks among all goaltenders. He earned two shutouts, including a 3–0 victory over Kazakhstan on May 25 where he made 18 saves, and a 2–0 win against Germany on May 31 with 33 stops. Petersen started the bronze medal game on June 6, allowing one goal on 34 shots in a 6–1 win over Germany to secure third place for the U.S., which had lost 4–2 to Canada in the semifinals the previous day. His outstanding performance led to him being named the tournament's Best Goaltender by the IIHF Directorate.[5][42][43][44] Petersen returned to the U.S. roster for the 2023 IIHF World Championship, held May 12 to May 28 in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia, after being named on May 4, 2023, amid a transitional period in his NHL career. He appeared in three games during the preliminary round, going 3–0–0 with a 0.72 GAA and .956 save percentage. Notable appearances included a relief stint in a 7–1 win over Hungary on May 14, where he made 5 saves, a 4–1 win over Austria on May 17, where he made 18 saves, and a 9–0 shutout of France on May 21 with 13 saves. Team USA advanced to the semifinals but fell 4–1 to eventual champion Canada before losing 4–3 in overtime to Latvia in the bronze medal game, finishing fourth overall; Petersen did not play in the playoff losses.[45][46][47] As of November 2025, these remain Petersen's only appearances in the senior IIHF World Championship, with no further selections for the 2024 or 2025 tournaments.[35]International performance highlights
Cal Petersen's most prominent international achievement came during the 2021 IIHF World Championship, where he anchored Team USA's goaltending in 7 games, compiling a 5-2-0 record, 1.29 goals against average (GAA), .953 save percentage (SV%), and 2 shutouts.[4][48] His GAA reflected exceptional efficiency, allowing just 9 goals on 192 shots faced, with the two shutouts coming against Germany and Kazakhstan.[49][50] This performance marked Petersen as the tournament's top goaltender, earning him the IIHF Directorate award for Best Goaltender based on his leading statistics in GAA and SV% among all participants.[51] Media outlets and IIHF evaluations praised his poise under pressure, highlighting his role in securing bronze for the United States.[5][52] Across his international career to date, Petersen has appeared in 10 World Championship games, maintaining a career GAA of 1.13 and SV% of .954 with 3 shutouts, though his 2021 tournament remains the benchmark for his contributions.[4] Post-2021, his international opportunities have been limited by NHL schedules and team priorities, with only 3 games played in 2023 (0.72 GAA, .956 SV%, 1 shutout) and no further appearances in 2024 or 2025.[4][35] He also won a gold medal with the U.S. national under-19 team at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.[4]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Cal Petersen debuted in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2018–19 season, initially serving as a backup goaltender before gradually earning more starts. His early performances were promising, with a .924 save percentage in 11 games, but he faced challenges maintaining consistency as he took on a larger workload in later seasons. By 2021–22, Petersen had established himself as the Kings' primary starter, recording three shutouts, though his save percentage dipped to .895 amid increased pressure. Following a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers in June 2023, his NHL opportunities decreased significantly, with only five appearances in 2023–24, prompting a shift toward American Hockey League (AHL) assignments to rebuild form.[2][53] In the AHL, Petersen has shown steady evolution, particularly with the Ontario Reign early in his career, where he posted a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA) as a rookie in 2017–18. His role has since adapted to that of a veteran presence, contributing to playoff pushes with teams like the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, including a 1 shutout in the 2023–24 Calder Cup Playoffs. As of November 19, 2025, after signing a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild, he has appeared in seven early-season games for the Iowa Wild, posting a 2-5-0 record, 2.63 GAA, .898 save percentage, and one shutout, signaling a potential return to starter duties in the minors.[4][3]NHL Regular Season Statistics
Petersen's NHL regular season stats reflect his progression from limited relief appearances to full-time starting responsibilities, followed by reduced ice time post-trade.| Season | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | LAK | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2.61 | .924 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | LAK | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2.64 | .922 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | LAK | 35 | 9 | 18 | 5 | 2.89 | .911 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | LAK | 37 | 20 | 14 | 2 | 2.89 | .895 | 3 |
| 2022–23 | LAK | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3.75 | .868 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | PHI | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3.90 | .864 | 0 |
| Career | 106 | 46 | 44 | 10 | 2.96 | .903 | 4 |
NHL Playoff Statistics
Petersen has made only one NHL playoff appearance, entering in relief during the 2021–22 Western Conference First Round against the Edmonton Oilers, where he allowed four goals on 20 shots in a losing effort.| Season | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | LAK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.45 | .800 | 0 |
| Career | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.45 | .800 | 0 |
AHL Regular Season Statistics
In the AHL, Petersen has accumulated over 200 games, demonstrating resilience with multiple seasons under 3.00 GAA, particularly during his time with the Ontario Reign and Lehigh Valley Phantoms.| Season | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Ontario Reign | 41 | 23 | 14 | 2 | 2.58 | .910 | 4 |
| 2018–19 | Ontario Reign | 38 | 13 | 22 | 1 | 4.02 | .896 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Ontario Reign | 37 | 17 | 15 | 4 | 3.43 | .906 | 3 |
| 2022–23 | Ontario Reign | 40 | 16 | 20 | 4 | 2.88 | .904 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 28 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 2.71 | .902 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 31 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 3.14 | .885 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Iowa Wild | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2.63 | .898 | 1 |
| Career | 222 | 94 | 106 | 17 | 2.88 | .901 | 12 |
AHL Playoff Statistics
Petersen has appeared in 15 AHL playoff games across multiple teams, with his most notable contribution in 2023–24, where he recorded a shutout and helped the Phantoms advance.| Season | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Ontario Reign | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2.38 | .915 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | Ontario Reign | 11 | 4 | 6 | 3.03 | .894 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Ontario Reign | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3.90 | .826 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2.70 | .887 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3.76 | .857 | 0 |
| Career | 26 | 9 | 16 | 2.96 | .885 | 1 |
International
Cal Petersen has represented the United States in senior international competition at the IIHF World Championships, appearing in two tournaments as of November 2025. His international statistics demonstrate strong goaltending, with a career save percentage of .954 and goals-against average of 1.13 across 10 games played.[54][47] In the 2021 IIHF World Championship, Petersen started seven games for the bronze medal-winning United States team, recording five wins, two losses, two shutouts, a 1.29 goals-against average, and a .953 save percentage. He was recognized as the tournament's Best Goaltender for his performance.[54] Petersen returned for the 2023 IIHF World Championship, playing three games with three wins, a 0.72 goals-against average, and a .956 save percentage, contributing to the team's efforts in the tournament.[47] The following table summarizes Petersen's international goaltending statistics from IIHF World Championships:| Year | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1.29 | .953 | 2 | 417:00 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.72 | .956 | 0 | 168:00 |
| Total | 10 | 8 | 2 | 1.13 | .954 | 2 | 585:00 |