Brett Peterson Commits to MSU

For years the Minnesota Golden Gophers were the official team of the State of Hockey, and while that may still be the case, Minnesota State is slowly forming their own version of "Pride on Ice." Elk River High School forward Brett Peterson committed to Minnesota State for the 2007-2008 season, meaning all but two of the players recruited for the next two seasons will have played high school or prep school hockey in Minnesota.

Here's what the internet turns up on Peterson:

-6'2" 200-ish lbs.

-Slowed by an undected heart condition until his senior year of high school.

-Played for Elk River HS, which has a long hockey tradition. Former players include Maverick Joel Hanson and New Jersey Devil Paul Martin.

-Will play next season with the Indiana Ice of the USHL, after being selected in the 14th round of the 2006 USHL draft by Indiana

-Named a "Player to Watch" by NHL's Central Scouting Bureau last fall.(Which is NHL-speak for "potential late round draft pick.)

-From the Star Tribune's Metro Area Hockey Preview:

Brett Peterson, Elk River, sr.: Gophers and Colorado College interested in 6-2, 210-pound winger. Coach Tony Sarsland says he is the type of player who takes over a game. Had 33 goals, 29 assists last season.

-Final 2005-2006 statistics: 23 goals, 19 assists, 42 points.

-From the Western College Hockey Blog after the Ted Brill Great 8 Tournament:

Brett Peterson- Elk River- You could make a strong argument for him being the best forward at the tournament. He's a big, powerful forward that can skate pretty well, and has pretty good hands. He had at least 3 goals on the weekend, and was almost single-handedly responsible for his team pulling out a win on Friday. A year in juniors wouldn't hurt, but I don't think he'd look that out of place if he played in college hockey next season.

-From Max Giese's NHL Draft Preview:

34. F Brett Peterson USHS - Tall player with a strong upper body. Lackadaisical away from the puck, but shows a mean streak at times. Has a cannon of a shot that is wild. Shows solid vision. Lacks intensity, is enigmatic.

Official Editorial Opinion:

I'm pretty pleased that the Mavericks got a commitment from Peterson, and even more pleased that he's going to develop for an extra year in the USHL before coming to Mankato. Indiana had him skating with their first line playmakers in Garrett Roe and John Kemp at their tryout camp. That's the role I envision playing in Mankato, as well, serving as a big finisher to go with some of the slicker passers they've recruited like Andy Sackrison and Mike Louwerse. He reminds me a lot of Joel Hanson, though a little more of a goal-scorer and less of a playmaker than Joel is. All in all, the Mavericks add a pretty solid player to fill a role that needed to be filled.