Nyorera kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Degerman akatanga basa rake neKieko-Espoo, achitamba mumapoka avo eU18 neU20. Mumwaka wa1996-97, akatamba mitambo makumi maviri nematatu yechikwata chevakuru cheKiekko-Espoo muSM-liiga uye akarova zvibodzwa zviviri, mushure mezvo akaisa basa rake rehunyanzvi uye akanyoresa kuBoston University. Degerman akasarudzwa 235th yose neMasimba Ducks yeAnaheim mu1997 NHL Entry Draft
asi akapfuurira kuzvipira kwake kukoreji neBoston University kusvikira muna 2000. Mushure mekupedza basa rake rekoreji, Degerman akadzokera kuchikwata chake chekare kuEspoo icho chakanga chava kunzi Espoo Blues. Zvisinei, akakwanisa kutamba mutambo mumwe chete wechikwata uye akapedza mwaka muMestis yeKJT. Akadzokera kuNorth America muna 2001 kunotamba muECHL, achiparadzanisa 2001-02 ECHL mwaka neNew Orleans Brass uye Reading Royals vasati vaenda pamudyandigere.