The LA Kings have signed defenseman Scott Perunovich to a one-year, two-way contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $850,000 through the 2026-27 season.
Perunovich, 27, suited up in 64 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), establishing new career-marks in games played (64), goals (9), assists (40) and points (49). Perunovich’s 49 points led all Tucson blueliners and placed third among AHL defensemen.
Originally selected in the second round (45th overall) by St. Louis in the 2018 NHL Draft, Perunovich has 30 helpers and 32 points (2-30=32) in 108 career regular-season NHL games between the Blues (2021-22, 2023-25) and New York Islanders (2024-25). He has added four assists (0-4=4) in seven Stanely Cup Playoff matchups. In 103 career AHL contests, Perunovich has scored 14 goals and 91 points (14-77=91) with the Roadrunners (2025-26) and Springfield Thunderbirds (2021-23).
Prior to his professional career, the 5-10, 175-pound defenseman collected 105 points (20-85=105) in 115 collegiate games with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) from 2017-20 where he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2017 and 2018. In his junior, and final year with the program, Perunovich was awarded the Hobey Baker Award after finishing the season tenth in the nation in scoring and second among all NCAA defensemen. His 34 helpers led all blueliners and was the second-most in the NCAA. While at Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich also earned the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Best Offensive Defenseman and First All-Star Team honors in each of his three years. Before the college ranks, Perunovich appeared in 56 games for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
A native of Hibbing, Minnesota, Perunovich represented Team USA at two IIHF tournaments, including the 2023 Men’s World Championship and 2018 Men’s World Junior Championship (bronze).
