With a season in the books, Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka has adjusted to the NHL, from the busier schedule to taking care of himself in-between the chaos.

“Really, really big year for me, learning-wise and kind of like getting a foot in the league,” Peterka said. “And yeah, I mean, like my goal when I was coming here was to make the opening roster and I was pretty happy to do so. And looking back, I think there was a, I would say successful season for me as well.”

And even as he levels out his game, he’s still living the dream every day.

“I think it's so like, uh, like my dream and it's so unreal. Like playing in the league, I think just and at times when I didn't, like, go like my way when I was kind of like in a slump, whatever, it was hard to, to kind of like realize that you actually like living your dream right now. And I think looking back, like, when I thought about that, it got better and better. So I think that's like a thing also for, for the next years, I looking for when things don't go my way and just yeah. Reminders of what am I doing here and I can be that.”

As he heads back to Germany this offseason, Peterka will have plenty of head coach Don Granato’s favorite parting gift - hindsight, tape, and experience to reflect on and learn from. 

“I think that's like thing of the summer, just sitting down and kind of like reflecting on the season at some point and obviously then getting ready for next season because I think I want to take like a next step next season after playing a full year here,” he said. “Just taking more responsibility…like stepping up and in situations where it's like a tie game or whatever. So I think that just preparing myself for that.”

In 75 games this season, the 21-year-old Peterka has amassed 32 points (12G, 20A).