The day after Oskar Steen signed a long-term contract in Sweden, another ex-NHLer is heading there. After three seasons in North America, Jacob Peterson has signed with Rögle BK, the SHL club announced on Sunday. The contract is for two years plus an option.
“It really feels like Rögle is a top team in the SHL that plays good and fun hockey, which I think can suit me,” the 24-year-old center said. “Rögle wants to join that group of teams that challenges for the title. I’m coming home because I want to be part of a winning team and Rögle feels like a very good option.”
Peterson was a fifth-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2017. It would be another four years before Peterson would go overseas, however. Peterson suited up for 122 SHL regular-season and playoff games for Frölunda HC and Färjestad BK between 2017 and 2021, recording 61 points.
Peterson played almost a full season in Dallas in 2021-22, playing in 65 NHL regular-season games and three more in the playoffs, recording 17 points. The next season, however, he only got into one game for Dallas and played most of the season for the AHL’s Texas Stars before being traded at the deadline to the San Jose Sharks. Over three seasons, Peterson played 86 NHL games and 98 in the AHL.
“Since I went over, I’ve probably gotten a bit tougher,” said Peterson. “I think a little faster too because things happen faster on a smaller rink, so I can make decisions a little faster and am a little tougher, which you have to be over there. I have developed a lot in those ways, which can help my game.”
Peterson joins a Rögle team that has seen a lot of roster turnover this off-season and most Swedish prognosticators project them to be among the teams competing for the SHL title this season. Last season, the team finished ninth in the regular season but then went all the way to the final, losing to Skelleftea in five games.
“We are very happy to have Jacob here,” says Rögle sports director Hampus Sjöström. “He’s a responsible two-way center that will complement our group in a good way. We are sure that he will fit perfectly into the dressing room and the way we want to play. He has gained good experience in North America and we look forward to seeing him take further steps with us.”
