AMARILLO, TX – Two former
Amarillo Bulls are having a solid impact with Army’s hockey program this
season, and a member of this year’s team hopes he can continue the
tradition when he arrives.
The Amarillo Bulls, proud
members of the North American Hockey League, announced today (Friday)
that defenseman Garret Peterson has committed to Army (Atlantic Hockey)
for next season. Peterson, who is still working through the application
process, said he had lunch with Luke Jenkins and Joe Kozlak while on a
school visit and learned more about West Point.
“They were very welcoming
as was everyone else there,” said Peterson about his meeting. “I was
able to talk to them on a more personable level. I don’t know them as
well as some of the other players do. They have a mutual respect for
playing in the same place. They knew where I was coming from and able to
provide some insight to the school.”
Kozlak and Jenkins have
played well in their short time with Army, and Kozlak was recently
chosen as Atlantic Hockey Rookie Of The Month. Peterson, a 6-2, 200
pound defenseman from Coppel, TX, near Dallas, has eight assists for
eight points in 17 games with the Bulls this season. Two of his eight
assists have come on the power play and has 21 shots on goal. Peterson
suited up last year with the former St. Louis Bandits where in 51 games
he had three goals and 16 assists for 19 points, and was plus 16 with 90
penalty minutes. He also added 51 shots on goal.
Amarillo Bulls Head Coach
Dennis Williams said Peterson will be able to provide even more
leadership to the program in addition to the likes Kozlak and Jenkins.
“Coach Brian Riley and his
staff have done a great job in finding those types of players for the
team,” he said. “Garret is going to be able to provide a sense of
leadership and commitment both on and off the ice. I know he will do a
great job not only on to the hockey program but to West Point itself.”
Peterson said playing for the Bulls this year has been a big factor in him deciding to go there.
“After meeting with Coach
Riley, he said that anybody that can come through Amarillo and do well
there, we know they can be a good player for us here,” Peterson
explained. “That’s a huge testament to Coach Williams and Coach Russo
and the work they have done here. They work us hard, but at the same
time not only do they want us to be good hockey players but they also
want us to be good people, too. I think that is very important.”
Peterson said he’s looking forward to being part of not only the hockey program but the school itself.
“Army is certainly an
incredible school and the hockey program is on an up rise,” Peterson
said about his decision. “The coaching staff was terrific the campus
spoke for itself which was absolutely gorgeous. The teachers and staff
genially cared and it’s a good fit for me and my family.”
Amarillo Bulls Head Coach Dennis Williams said Garret was a player they wanted to come in and help their team defensively.
“He’s got great size and
plays very hard,” Williams said. “He’s been a great asset to our team
after we lost all of those d-men last year.”
Garret Peterson becomes
the seventh member of the Amarillo Bulls to commit to play NCAA hockey.
He joins Tyler Deresky, who committed on Thursday to Bentley University,
Hampus Gustafsson (Merrimack College), TJ Sarcona (Niagara), Tyler
Rostenkowski (Air Force), Kyle Plageman (Army), and Joe Grabowski
(Princeton).
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
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