Tom Pederson

Thomas Stuart Pederson (born January 14, 1970 in Bloomington, Minnesota) is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman who played five seasons in the National Hockey League with the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs from 1992–93 until 1996–97.

Pederson was drafted 217th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft while playing for the University of Minnesota from 1988 to 1991. He was claimed by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL Expansion Draft.

He played for the American National Team in 1991-92, then turned pro with the Kansas City Blades later in the season. He split time in 1992-93 between the Blades and the Sharks and then became a Sharks regular in 1993-94. He had a bad season in 1995-96 for the Sharks and then went to Japan to play for a team in Tokyo.

Pederson returned to North America in 1996 to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs but he spent most of the season in the minors. He played for the Fort Wayne Komets in 1997-98 and the Hannover Scorpions in Germany for the next two seasons. He retired in 2000.

He played 240 career NHL games, scoring 20 goals and 49 assists for 69 points.

Pederson played for the United States in the 1989 World Junior Championship and the 1991 and 1996 World Championships.