Scott Perunovich

Scott Douglas Perunovich (born August 18, 1998) is an American collegiate ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the University of Minnesota–Duluth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round, 45th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. While playing with the Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs, Perunovich was named to the AHCA East First-Team All-American, the NCHC First All-Conference Team, All-Tournament Team, NCHC All-Rookie team, NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year, and NCHC Rookie of the Year.

Internationally, Perunovich has represented the United States at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where they finished in fifth place, and the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning bronze.

Perunovich played three seasons of prep school hockey for Hibbing High School. In 2014, Perunovich was drafted by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL) but continued to play for Hibbing High School. In 2015, Perunovich committed to play Division 1 hockey for the University of Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs. After his senior year, Perunovich then played one season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during the 2016–17 season before joining the Bulldogs.

Collegiate

While majoring in Communications, Perunovich played 42 games for the Bulldogs during the 2017–18 season. His first collegiate goal came in a 4–3 loss to Michigan Tech on October 7, 2017. Perunovich ended his freshman season with 36 points, tying fourth nationally among all defenseman and third for freshman. As a result of his outstanding play, Perunovich was 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 was the first Minnesota–Duluth Bulldog to be named Rookie of the Year and Offensive Defenseman of the Year and set a new Bulldogs record for most points by a freshman defenceman. His prolific freshman season helped the Bulldogs win the NCAA National Championship title and he was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All–Tournament Team. He was also the first NCHC player to be awarded the Tim Taylor Award as men's Division I National Rookie of the Year.

Although he was not originally ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, after the strong play in his rookie season Perunovich made the midterm ranks, and was eventually placed 102nd overall for North American Skaters in the final rankings for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. After he had been passed over in his first two years of eligibility, the St. Louis Blues drafted Perunovich in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on the word of their scouts, Keith Tkachuk and J Niemiec, that he was worth the chance.

Perunovich returned to the Bulldogs for his sophomore season. On October 23, 2018, Perunovich was named the NCAA First Star of the Week after he recorded six points in two back-to-back games against the Maine Black Bears. On January 17, 2019, Perunovich was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award and later for the Offensive Defenseman of the Year. Perunovich helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2019 NCHC Tournament with 27 points, where they competed in the first round against the Omaha Mavericks. On March 13, Perunovich was again selected for the NCHC First All-Conference Team. Although the Bulldogs won the first game of the series against Omaha, Perunovich was forced to sit out due to injury. After returning to the ice, Perunovich helped the Bulldogs defeat St. Cloud State 3–2 to qualify for the NCAA Championship. He was also named the winner of NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year for the second consecutive season. In the first round of the 2019 NCAA Championship, Minnesota-Duluth beat Bowling Green State University 2–1 in overtime to advance to the second round where they faced the Quinnipiac Bobcats. On March 31, the Bulldogs qualified for the Frozen Four with Perunovich recording an assist in the 3–1 win over the Quinnipiac Bobcats. After beating the Providence Friars 4–1, Perunovich was named an AHCA East Second-Team All-American. On April 13, the Bulldogs went on to clinch another NCAA Championship title after a 3–0 win over the UMass Minutemen.

Perunovich has represented the United States at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where they finished in fifth place, and the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning bronze. He scored one goal and two assists during the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He scored his only goal of the tournament during the first outdoor World Juniors game to eliminate a two-goal deficit and beat Team Canada 4–3.

Perunovich says he models his game after NHL defenseman Torey Krug. His Bulldogs coach, Scott Sandelin, often refers to him as a "fourth forward."

Perunovich was born to Jim and Susan Perunovich. His uncle Doug played for the Bulldogs during the 1988–1992 season and was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2015	United States	IH18	5th		4	0	0	0	2
2018	United States	WJC			7	1	2	3	2
Junior totals					11	1	2	3	4