Cal Petersen Returns to NHL Ice as Wild Recall Veteran Goalie Ahead of Canadiens Matchup
Cal Petersen is back in the NHL fold, and tonight he'll suit up for the Minnesota Wild for the first time this regular season. The veteran netminder, who spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, was recalled from the AHL's Iowa Wild under emergency conditions ahead of Minnesota’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens.
The move comes as the Wild find themselves short on goaltending depth, with Jesper Wallstedt reportedly unavailable for the night. That opened the door for Petersen, who’s expected to serve as the backup behind Filip Gustavsson in tonight’s matchup at Xcel Energy Center.
This marks Petersen’s first call-up to the NHL this season, and it’s a notable moment for the 29-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with Minnesota last summer. While he was waived in the fall and sent down to Iowa, the Wild clearly still see value in his experience and are turning to him now when depth is needed.
Petersen’s most recent NHL action came during the 2023-24 campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he appeared in five games (four starts), posting a 2-2-0 record with an .864 save percentage and a 3.90 goals-against average. While those numbers weren’t eye-popping, they came in limited action and under challenging circumstances for a Flyers team still finding its footing.
In Iowa this season, Petersen has had a heavy workload. Through 17 starts, he’s posted a 4-13-0 record with a .897 save percentage, a 2.82 goals-against average, and a pair of shutouts. While the win-loss record might not jump off the page, the save percentage and goals-against average suggest he’s been more solid than the numbers might initially indicate - especially considering the team in front of him.
Petersen’s NHL journey has been anything but linear. Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, he made his name with the Kings, where he logged 106 appearances (98 starts) over five seasons.
During that stretch, he compiled a 44-42-10 record with a .905 save percentage, a 2.92 goals-against average, and four shutouts. At times, he flashed the poise and technical skill that had many penciling him in as a potential long-term starter in LA.
Now, with a fresh opportunity in Minnesota - even if it's just a one-night backup assignment for now - Petersen gets another shot to be part of an NHL bench. For a player who’s battled through waivers, AHL stints, and the grind of trying to re-establish himself at the top level, this is a moment that speaks to persistence and professionalism.
Whether he sees the ice tonight or not, Petersen’s presence gives the Wild some much-needed security in net. And for a team trying to stay competitive in the West, having a steady hand like Petersen available could prove valuable down the stretch.