Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: Sports

Senior Greg Peterson was relied on for his defense and leadership abilities as the UW-Eau Claire hockey team turned in one of its best seasons in recent memory.

Senior Greg Petersen was a captain and the men's hockey team's top defenseman this year.

He was not only counted on for his defensive play during his time at UW-Eau Claire, but also his offensive play and his leadership.

"The biggest thing on the list is his ability, he's a good player," coach Matt Loen said. "We're going to miss his offensive ability … and his leadership, he's one of our captains."

Petersen's college career did not begin at Eau Claire, however. He started out at Div. 1 Robert Morris University (Penn.).

Hockey was not fun at Robert Morris, Petersen said. That, along with the fact that he knew a few guys on the team at Eau Claire, led him to change the scenery.

"I learned to have fun while playing hockey again," Petersen said. "At Robert Morris, it wasn't that fun and I came here and it was just a blast playing here for three years."

Not only did Petersen grow as a hockey player while at Eau Claire, but he said he also grew as a person.

"Going to school and playing hockey at the same time, it's a tough job, it helps you grow," Petersen said.

School has also been a positive experience while at Eau Claire, Petersen said. He is a kinesiology major and said that is another reason he chose to go to Eau Claire.

"Here at Eau Claire, I have nothing but good things to say about it," Petersen said.

On the ice, Petersen was crucial to the team's success, Loen said. He often logged the most minutes of all the defenseman. He played five on five situations, four on four situations, penalty kill and most importantly, he anchored the power-play, Loen said.

Petersen has meant a lot to the Blugold hockey program as a whole, Loen said, but his experience is probably what meant the most.

"If I was a young defenseman coming in this year I would have probably tried to follow Greg and what he did," Loen said. "He did well academically, he's a great kid off the ice, he works hard off the ice in the weight room, he puts it in his mind what he wants to accomplish and I think he has done that."

Playing hockey has created at least a few memories for Petersen. But some have stuck out more than others.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools