Scott Perunovich Bio
Scott Douglas Perunovich is an American professional ice hockey defenseman born on August 18, 1998, in Hibbing, Minnesota. He plays for the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League, having previously competed for the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders. Perunovich is widely recognized for his outstanding collegiate career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he won the prestigious Hobey Baker Award in 2020 as the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player. His career spans multiple international tournaments, two NCAA national championships, and a steady progression through American hockey’s development system from the USHL to the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Perunovich was born to Jim and Susan Perunovich on August 18, 1998, in Hibbing, Minnesota. He is of Montenegrin descent, with his paternal great-grandparents Nikola and Stana Perunović immigrating to Hibbing from Montenegro. His great-grandfather Nikola was a descendant of the Pješivci tribe, and ancestors had fought against the Ottoman Empire. This rich family heritage in Hibbing provided the foundation for Perunovich’s deep roots in the hockey-loving community of northern Minnesota.
He began figure skating lessons at the age of four before eventually joining a hockey team. His family connection to hockey ran deep through his uncle Doug Torrel, who played for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 1988 to 1992 and was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1987 NHL entry draft. Although Perunovich was attracted to the school due to the team’s success rather than his uncle’s connection, the familial ties to collegiate hockey undoubtedly influenced his path.
Perunovich attended Hibbing High School from 2014 to 2017, where he played three seasons of prep school hockey while also competing in tennis. As a sophomore and junior, he and Jake Jolowsky won the Section 7A doubles title and qualified for the Minnesota high school boys tennis state tournament for a third consecutive season. He won approximately 80 percent of his tennis matches and was named Tennis Player of the Year by the Mesabi Daily News, Hibbing Daily Tribune, and Grand Rapids Herald Review.
Path to Hockey
While playing for the Hibbing High School Bluejackets Bantam A team in 2014, Perunovich was drafted by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League. He opted to continue playing for Hibbing High School, where he led the team to a 37-10-5 record and was named a finalist for Bantam Player of the Year. His strong performance caught the attention of college scouts, and in 2015, Perunovich committed to play Division 1 hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs starting in the 2017-18 season.
Team USA head coach Derek Plante, who had helped Duluth recruit Perunovich, described him as a “very crafty, a smart hockey player.” In January 2016, Perunovich joined the United States National Under-18 Team for two games against St. Cloud State. After completing high school, he played one season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during the USHL season, recording the worst plus-minus in the league while adapting to being away from home.
Internationally, Perunovich represented the United States at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where Team USA finished in fifth place. This early international experience provided valuable exposure to high-level competition and helped prepare him for his collegiate career and future tournaments with the national team.
Scott Perunovich Career
University of Minnesota Duluth (2017-2020)
Perunovich played for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 2017 to 2020, enrolling in the College of Liberal Arts while majoring in communications. During his freshman season, he played 42 games and recorded his first collegiate goal in a 4-3 loss to Michigan Tech on October 7, 2017. Perunovich ended his freshman season with 36 points, ranking fourth nationally among all defensemen and third among freshmen.
His outstanding freshman campaign earned him numerous accolades, including being named an AHCA East First-Team All-American, NCHC First All-Conference Team, NCHC All-Rookie Team, All-Tournament Team, NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year, and NCHC Rookie of the Year. He became the first Minnesota Duluth Bulldog to be named both Rookie of the Year and Offensive Defenseman of the Year while setting a new school record for most points by a freshman defenseman. His prolific season helped the Bulldogs capture the NCAA National Championship title, and he was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. Perunovich also became the first NCHC player to receive the Tim Taylor Award as men’s Division I National Rookie of the Year.
Following his freshman season, Perunovich was ranked 102nd overall among North American skaters eligible for the 2018 NHL entry draft by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. When asked to compare his skating style, Perunovich said he models his game after NHL defenseman Torey Krug. Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin often referred to him as a “fourth forward” due to his offensive instincts and playmaking ability.
St. Louis Blues (2021-2025)
After being passed over in his first two years of eligibility, the St. Louis Blues selected Perunovich in the second round, 45th overall, in the 2018 NHL entry draft. The selection came on the word of Blues scouts Keith Tkachuk and J Niemiec, who believed in his potential despite limited USHL production. Following the conclusion of his junior year with the Bulldogs, Perunovich ended his collegiate career by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on March 28, 2020.
He was reassigned to the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, to begin the 2020-21 season. In February 2021, it was announced that Perunovich would miss most of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery, delaying his professional development. In September 2021, Perunovich was named team captain of the St. Louis Blues Prospects Team during the NHL’s prospect tournament in Traverse City.
Perunovich made his NHL debut with the Blues on November 18, 2021, in a game against the San Jose Sharks, scoring his first NHL point with an assist. He was reassigned to the AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, for most of his development time. On June 24, 2023, as a restricted free agent, Perunovich signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with the Blues.
New York Islanders (2025)
During the 2024-25 season, Perunovich appeared in 24 games with the Blues, recording 2 goals and 6 points while primarily serving in a third-pairing role. On January 27, 2025, Perunovich was traded by the Blues to the New York Islanders in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft. This move represented a fresh start with a different organization as he sought to solidify his role at the NHL level.
Utah Mammoth (2025-Present)
After his brief tenure with the Islanders, Perunovich signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Utah Mammoth on July 1, 2025, for the 2025-26 season. The contract carries a salary of $775,000. This signing brought Perunovich back to the Central Division, where he had spent his formative professional years with the Blues organization. He joined the Mammoth’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, as he continues his professional career with the goal of earning a permanent spot in the NHL lineup.
Playing Style and Strengths
Perunovich is known for his exceptional hockey sense and playmaking ability from the blue line. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, he compensates for his smaller stature with quick skating, strong positioning, and exceptional vision that allows him to quarterback power plays and initiate offensive rushes. He models his game after Torey Krug, another undersized but offensively gifted defenseman who found success in the NHL. Coaches have praised his ability to read plays and make smart decisions with the puck, often referring to him as an extra forward due to his willingness to join the attack.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Perunovich has achieved several significant milestones. His Hobey Baker Award win in 2020 placed him among the elite collegiate players in the nation, and his three consecutive NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year awards demonstrated sustained excellence at the conference level. His NCAA championship victories with Duluth in 2018 and 2019 cemented his legacy as one of the most successful players in program history. On the international stage, his goal during the 2018 World Junior Championship marked a historic moment as the first outdoor World Juniors goal, helping Team USA defeat Canada 4-3 and earn a bronze medal.
Scott Perunovich Career Wins
Perunovich’s career highlights include multiple championship titles, individual awards at the collegiate level, and international medals. His success at the University of Minnesota Duluth stands as the cornerstone of his achievements, complemented by his World Junior Championship bronze medal and steady professional progression through the minor leagues to NHL regulars.
College and International Highlights
At the collegiate level, Perunovich was a two-time NCAA National Champion with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, winning titles in 2018 and 2019. He captured the Hobey Baker Award in 2020 as the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, becoming the sixth Bulldogs player in program history to receive the honor. His individual accolades include three consecutive NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year awards from 2020 to 2022, the NCHC Rookie of the Year award in 2020, and multiple All-American and All-Conference team selections. He was the first NCHC player to win the Tim Taylor Award as National Rookie of the Year and set a school record for most points by a freshman defenseman.
Internationally, Perunovich won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He scored one goal and two assists during the tournament, with his only goal coming during the first outdoor World Juniors game in history, erasing a two-goal deficit to help beat Canada 4-3. His performance at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament provided early international experience, though Team USA finished fifth.
Scott Perunovich Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Perunovich was born to Jim and Susan Perunovich in Hibbing, Minnesota, where his family has deep roots in the community. His paternal great-grandparents Nikola and Stana Perunović immigrated to Hibbing from Montenegro, bringing with them a heritage connected to the Pješivci tribe and a history of resistance against the Ottoman Empire. This Montenegrin lineage distinguishes Perunovich among American hockey players and connects him to the small but passionate hockey community in Minnesota’s Iron Range.
His uncle Doug Torrel played for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 1988 to 1992 and was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1987 NHL entry draft. Although Doug’s path through collegiate hockey influenced the family’s connection to the program, Perunovich has stated he was attracted to Duluth primarily because of the team’s success rather than family tradition. Despite this independent decision, the familial pathway to collegiate hockey likely smoothed his recruitment process and provided familiar surroundings when he arrived on campus.
Personal Life
Perunovich pursued a degree in communications while enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth, studying in the College of Liberal Arts. His athletic versatility extended beyond hockey, as he excelled in tennis during high school, winning multiple section championships and earning regional player of the year honors. This multi-sport background contributed to his overall athletic development and hand-eye coordination, skills that translate to his effectiveness as an offensive defenseman.
Throughout his career, Perunovich has maintained strong connections to his Minnesota roots. His upbringing in Hibbing, a town with a rich hockey tradition, helped shape his work ethic and appreciation for the sport. The support of his parents, Jim and Susan, has been a constant throughout his development from youth hockey through his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional period in Perunovich’s professional career. After beginning the season with the St. Louis Blues, where he appeared in 24 games recording 2 goals and 6 points in a limited third-pairing role, he was traded to the New York Islanders in January 2025. The trade represented an opportunity to find a more consistent role with a new organization after struggling to establish himself permanently in the Blues’ defensive corps.
Following his time with the Islanders as a restricted free agent, Perunovich signed with the Utah Mammoth in July 2025, returning to the Central Division where he had spent his early professional years. His one-year, two-way contract reflects his status as a player seeking to prove himself at the NHL level while contributing to the Mammoth’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. The 2025-26 season offers Perunovich an opportunity to showcase his skills and compete for a permanent NHL roster spot with the Mammoth organization.