Career
Pesonen began his career with Hokki in 1998, playing in the second-highest division of hockey in Finland, the Mestis. Kärpät He then played for Kärpät in the Finnish top division, the, from 2001-2002 and 2003-2008. After his first season with Kärpät he returned to Hokki for one season in 2002-2003.
He had his best season in 2007-2008 when he led the in goals, points, and plus-minus, winning the Aarne Honkavaara, Veli-Pekka Ketola, and Matti Keinonen trophies, respectively, for his efforts.
That season he tallied 34 goals and 44 assists for a total 78 points in only 56 games played. Pittsburgh Penguins On July 7, 2008, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they signed Pesonen to a one-year contract.
After 3 preseason games in which he tallied 1 goal and 1 assist, Pesonen was sent to the Penguins" AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on October 8, 2008. Pesonen would show his ability to adapt to the North American style of hockey by scoring 9 pts in his first seven games, scoring two goals and garnering seven assists.
On October 31, Pesonen was recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he made his National Hockey League debut on November 1 against the Saint Louis Blues.
Pesonen"s stay with the Penguins was brief, and he was returned to the AHL after seven games. On March 16, Pesonen set a new record for points in a single season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins, passing up Toby Petersen"s 67-point season of 2000-2001. At season"s end, Pesonen finished with 82 points, fourth in the AHL in scoring and the highest point total by a Finn in AHL history.
Ak Bars Kazan After one season in North America, Pesonen opted to return to Europe and signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan of the on August 4, 2009.
He left Kazan after two seasons for a try-out contract with the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (National Hockey League) on August 11, 2011. He was released from the Jets on October 2, after failing to get an extended offer.
After a year in Finland playing for HIFK, Pesonen announced he had signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan.
