UMD Athletics

AS A BULLDOG: His insertion into the Bulldog lineup midway through the 2016-17 season and UMD's torrid second-half tear was hardly a coincidence ... became eligible to play (as a NCAA I transfer) at the conclusion of Fall Semester and made his UMD debut on Dec. 17 at Bemidji State ... proceeded to amass seven goals -- including four game winners --  and eight assists and was a +10 from that point on while the Bulldogs lost just four times in 25 games, going a sizzling 17-4-4 ... shared the 2016-17 Bulldog lead (with then-senior winger Kyle Osterberg) in shot percentage with a .156 mark ... also assembled the sixth best points per game average (.60) on the club ... centered a dynamic line that included wingers Karson Kuhlman and Riley Tufte ... saw ample time on the power play unit, collecting four points (one goal and three assists) with the man advantage ... assisted on UMD's final goal of the season at the NCAA Frozen Four in Chicago ... was a 2016-17 NCHC All-Academic Team qualifier.
BEFORE UMD: Enrolled at UMD for the 2016 Spring Semester after spending the prior one and half seasons at the University of Nebraska Omaha ... practiced with the Bulldogs during the second half of the season ... had one assist (in his final appearance ever with Omaha on Dec. 5 at St. Cloud State ) while putting 20 shots on target in 14 games with the 2015-16 Mavericks -- a NCHC rival of UMD's ... registered 21 points (11 goals and 10 assists) during a stellar rookie season and skated a regular shift on a Maverick club that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time ever ... was chosen the NCHC Rookie of the Month for January 2015 and later secured a spot on the NCHC All-Academic Team ... received the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award in 2013-14 after topping Grand Rapids High School in scoring with 37 goals and 30 assists in just 27 outings ... exited the Thunderhawk program as its all-time leading point producer (203) ... also did time (35 games worth) with the United States Hockey League's Sioux City Musketeers for parts of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons (The 2012-13 Musketeers were coached by current UMD assistant Brett Larson) ... lettered three times in baseball (first baseman/pitcher) at Grand Rapids High School ... was selected in the sixth round (167th pick overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2013 National Hockey League Draft ... is the 19th Grand Rapids native to enlist his services with the UMD hockey program  -- only the city of Duluth (with 145) has produced more all-time Bulldogs -- and the first since right winger Michael Miskovich (1999-02) to do so.
BULLDOG MILESTONES: First Game - at Bemidji State (Dec. 17, 2016).  First Goal - at Colorado College (Jan. 6, 2017). First Assist - at St. Cloud State (Jan. 14, 2017). Most Goals, Game - 1 (Seven Times). Most Points, Game - 2 (Four Times). Most Shots, Game - 4 (Four Times). Longest Scoring Streak - 3 Games (March 3-10, 2017).
PERSONAL: Born Thomas Avery Peterson in Grand Rapids, Minn. ... is the son of Tom and Linda Peterson ... has one older brother (Evan) and one younger sister (Annika) ... is majoring in criminology at UMD.