American
forward
Peter Mueller, 37,
has
announced his retirement from hockey through the website of his last
club, Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga.
A
former NHLer, Mueller had played continuously in Europe since 2013
and was on his second tour of duty in Brno. Last season, he had 36
points in 36 regular season games and then 13 points in 20 playoff
games. Mueller’s first-period goal in Game
7 of the finals against Dynamo Pardubice turned out to be the
series-winner in a 3-0 Kometa victory.
In
May,
Mueller
signed a contract extension with Kometa but has apparently had
second thoughts about that decision this summer due
to ongoing back issues.
“This
is an unexpected decision for us,” said Kometa GM
Libor Zábranský.
“I have been in contact with Peter for the last 14
days
and
I respect his decision. Of course, we will miss him
and it
will be difficult to replace him at this time, but that’s just the
way it is. We all wish his entire family only the best for the next
stage of their lives.”
Eighteen
years. Eighteen years of ups and downs, lots of different countries,
different places, different styles and many adventures that always
meant chasing the title.I
would like to take this opportunity to officially end my hockey
career. Being able to play at the highest level for eighteen years
and allowing hockey to take me and my family around the world has
been the greatest gift I can imagine. Meeting amazing people along
the way has turned into lifelong friendships. Thank you to all the
organizations that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to
play.I would like to thank my parents for introducing me to hockey.
The early morning wake-ups, the long car rides, and the lakes to
skate on whenever it froze. They were the first to believe in me and
always supported me.To my wife Taylar and children Charlie and Rosie,
thank you for being with me on this adventure and being my biggest
fans. Thank you for always supporting me and keeping me going on bad
days. You tried to take my mind off hockey when I needed it. Your
support on this journey has been truly amazing and I couldn't have
done it without you.I have been incredibly lucky to play this sport
professionally for eighteen years and I look forward to what is to
come.
And thank you, Libor, for your trust, for believing in me and
allowing me to play for more than twenty minutes (smile). Under your
leadership, I experienced some of my most fun years in hockey and I
am forever grateful to you for that. I will always be here to support
Kometa!
– Peter Mueller
Originally
from Bloomington, Minn., Mueller starred in junior hockey for
the WHL’s
Everett Silvertips and was chosen eighth overall by the Phoenix
Coyotes in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
However, he never lived up to his potential in the NHL. He
recorded 54 points his rookie season in 2008-09, but was never able
to reach that total again. In 297 NHL games over six season with the
Coyotes, Colorado
Avalanche and Florida
Panthers, Mueller scored 63 goals and added 97 assists for 160
points with 98 penalty minutes. He
also went to the training camps of the St.
Louis Blues and Boston
Bruins.
Former Pens, Avs Defenseman Signs In CzechiaCzech-Canadian
defenseman John Ludvig, 24, has signed a one-year contract with
Dynamo Pardubice, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Wednesday.
Internationally, Mueller
has represented the USA at two U-18 World Championships (winning gold
in 2005), two World Junior Championships and two senior men’s World
Championships.
In his first tour of duty with
Kometa, he was the Extraliga MVP in 2018-19 and led the league with
64 points in 2020-21.
In addition to Kometa, Mueller
also played in Switzerland for the Kloten Flyers, in Sweden for the
Malmö
Redhawks,
in Austria for Red Bull Salzburg, in Czechia for HC Vítkovice
and in Germany for Grizzlys Wolfsburg.
Photo © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.
Kometa Brno is once again the champion of the Czech Extraliga,
defeating Dynamo Pardubice 3-0 in the seventh and decisive game of
the finals on Tuesday night in Pardubice. It was the second series in
a row that the team won a seventh game on the road.
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