JJ Peterka had a choice to make growing up as an elite two-sport athlete in Munich, Germany.

Fortunately for the Utah Mammoth, the 23-year-old forward pursued a professional hockey career.

"I played both soccer and hockey growing up and I always had more fun playing hockey," Peterka told NHL.com. "That's a decision I had to make because it became too much playing both. I think I was 11 years old or so, and I always had a lot of fun at both sports, but hockey was the main one."

Peterka believes he could have played professional soccer had he chosen that path.

"I believe in myself so I would say so," he said.

Soccer's loss is the NHL's gain as Peterka is developing into a premier offensive player.

Acquired by Utah in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres for forward Josh Doan and defensem

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