Between the pipes with Bloomington's Yaniv Perets

By Amy Winter / BloomingtonBisonHockey.com

With an ever-changing roster, the Bloomington Bison have seen many players in their inaugural season. One player that is turning heads is goaltender Yaniv Perets, who has already seen National Hockey League action in his two-year professional career.

The Dollard-Des, Quebec native was born on March 4, 2000. He started his career in the Central Canada Hockey League where he played for the Brockville Braves for two seasons. In the 2017-18 season, Perets made the transition to the National Collegiate Development Conference where he played for the Boston Jr. Bruins. In his second season with the team, Perets experienced his first championship. With much success ahead, Perets continued to show potential at every new level.

Following his championship, Perets manned the net for the Penticton Vees in the BCHL for a season before playing at a collegiate level. In 2020, he began his college career with Quinnipiac University where he would stay for the next three seasons. In the 2022-23 season, Perets would leave his collegiate career, as a champion once again. With a 3-2 win over Minnesota, he helped Quinnipiac University claim their first championship title. Going out on top, Perets stepped into the world of professional hockey.

“For him to do what he did there (at Quinnipiac) and then carry that into his pro career speaks to the amateur career he’s had,” commented Head Coach and General Manager Phillip Barski. “It’s hard for any player to step into their first professional season so last year could have been a feeling out process whereas now he feels comfortable. The results speak for themselves.”

On April 11, 2023, Perets signed with the Carolina Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent. Entering his professional career, the 6-foot-1 goaltender made his ECHL debut on October 21, 2023 with the Norfolk Admirals. Perets’ skill on the ice gave him the opportunity to make an NHL appearance right out of college. With Carolina’s goaltending duo taking an injury hit, the Hurricanes turned to their ECHL affiliate. The Admiral's goaltender was given the nod to play his first NHL game on January 15, 2024 against the Florida Panthers. He appeared later in the game registering 12:46 of ice time.

“The first time I got the call was definitely very emotional. I was like ‘Wow, oh my God.’ You don’t really expect it sometimes, but with hockey anything can happen so quickly. You can be in one place one week, and the next week somewhere else,” Perets recalled. “It was obviously a very special moment. You think about the experience and hope you get one again. Just knowing you were there is special.”

Following his NHL debut, Perets continued his ECHL career. Playing 34 games for the Norfolk Admirals, Perets had his first year of professional hockey under his belt. Going into his second year of professional hockey, the off-season provided Perets with much to account for in the upcoming season. 

“I learned a lot from my first year pro, it’s very different from college in terms of travel and the amount of games you play. There’s a lot of different things like management; how much extra work you do, or trying to be smart about how much time you spend at or away from the rink,” Perets stated. “You go on and learn a lot of different things every year. I’m open to whatever gets thrown my way and whatever I can do to continue to add to my game.” 

Perets began the 2024-25 season by making his AHL debut with the Chicago Wolves. However, on November 30, 2024, Perets appeared in his second NHL game for the Hurricanes in only his second season professionally. Following this, Perets played four more games for the Wolves before coming to Bloomington. On December 11, the Hurricanes added Perets to the Bison roster.

“I think the word ‘excited’ definitely comes to mind right away. I’ve followed his career with him winning national championships. I wasn’t in the ECHL last year, but when he was in Norfolk, I kept tabs on him. He’s not the biggest goalie, but you look at his commitment to his craft and the way he goes about his daily routine; you see why he’s a champion,” Barski said regarding Perets’ reassignment. “Once you get the opportunity to coach him, you see his reads and games are elite. He reads plays before they happen, his anticipation is unbelievable, and I would say we’re very lucky to have him.”

Having played twelve games for the Bison, Perets continues to impress on and off the ice. With 541 minutes on the ice, Bloomington fans, teammates, and coaches credit Perets for his contributions to the team in so little time. On January 25, 2025, he recorded the Bison’s second franchise shutout saving all 29 shots against the Cincinnati Cyclones.

“He’s stabilized our position. With Yaniv, he’s gotten to be a big part of our workload and he’s been unbelievable game-in and game-out. He’s one of those fierce competitors that when a goal goes in that he didn’t have a chance of saving, he still believes that he should stop every puck,” said Coach Barski.

“When you have a guy like that, the guys rally behind him and he’s been a huge contributor to the success that we’ve had.” 

With his continuous hockey journey and prominent success, Perets enjoys taking in every moment on the ice. Even with Bloomington being his third team this season, the 24-year-old has several highlights to take with him as he continues to play his game and reach the NHL full-time. 

“My first win with the guys was very cool. I think the crowd here is great, very loud as well. I think we’ve got a great goal song so that’s always nice to hear when a guy scores,” recalled Perets. “Winning with the guys and all the memories to be made ahead. I’m looking forward to everyday with them and open to whatever comes my way.”