Avalanche goalie now a Badger

PALMER — Growing up in Wisconsin, Landon Peterson has always wanted to become a Badger. Now the former Alaska Avalanche goalie will have his chance.

After spending two seasons with the Valley-based North American Hockey League Junior A franchise, the goaltender has committed to the University of Wisconsin to play for the Division I Badgers.

“It’s a dream come true,” Peterson said by cellphone from Wisconsin on Monday. “I’ve always dreamed about putting on the red and white. It’s pretty surreal right now.”

Not only is Peterson joining the historic Western Collegiate Hockey Association program, but the Avs’ franchise record holder in career games, wins, saves and goals against average will go to Madison with the chance to earn a spot between the pipes right away.

“It’s his dream school, his dream opportunity,” said Brian Huebel, who coached Peterson for two years in Alaska. “And he’s going there to have a shot. He’s not going there as their No. 3 goalie. He’ll compete for the job as the No. 1 guy.”

Wisconsin will enter the 2011-12 season with three virtual rookies in net. Wisconsin graduated veterans Scott Gudmandson and Brett Bennett. Mitch Thompson recently completed his sophomore season, but has yet to see time in the Badger goal. Peterson is expected to be one of two freshman goalies to join the team.

Peterson said he’s excited for the opportunity to compete for the job.

“Everyone will be fighting for (the No. 1 job),” Peterson said.

Huebel said Peterson certainly has the potential to be successful at the Division I level. Peterson has the skill, Huebel said, but also the intangibles.

“The first question the (Wisconsin) coach asked is how is his character. I was able to give him a number of examples of the type of kid he is. His character and work ethic stick out to me the most,” Huebel said.

Peterson also showed on the ice he deserves a spot at college hockey’s highest level.

“He’s got the build. He’s a tall kid with a broad chest, he moves well,” Huebel said of the 6-foot, 180-pound Peterson.

Peterson set a number of franchise record while seeing the majority of action in the Avalanche net. Peterson started a franchise record 45 games and earned a team record 24 wins. He also tallied a 2.74 goals against average, .913 saves percentage and stopped nearly 1,200 shots during the 2010-11 season.

In two seasons in Alaska, Peterson was 37-20-9 with a 2.82 GAA and .913 saves percentage in 76 games.

Peterson embraced the opportunity to be the Avs’ clear No. 1 goalie in 2010-11.

“The coaches were really confident in me,” Peterson said. “

While Peterson has dreamed of wearing the Badger red and white since he was a young player growing up in Wisconsin, serious talks between he and his dream school didn’t start until early in his second season with the Avs. Wisconsin coaches saw Peterson play during the NAHL Showcase Tournament last September and kept in touch with Peterson and Avalanche coaches since.

Peterson had contact with other teams, he said, but no other program came forward with a serious offer.

“It’s a waiting game,” Peterson said.

Peterson, who spent four years in the Madison Capitals AAA program, typically spends a portion of his offseason working with Dallas Stars goalie coach Mike Valley. With Valley, in addition to honing his skills, Peterson has also had to share the ice with NHL goalies such as Nicklas Backstrom, Brian Elliot and Pekka Rinne, who helped the Nashville Predators advance to the second round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.

“It’s interesting to see how they develop, how they play,” Peterson said.

Peterson is the fourth goalie in Avs franchise history to commit to a DI team. Andrew Volkening, the starter with the then-Wasilla Spirit, played four years at Air Force. Dusan Sidor spent time as the No. 3 goalie at UAA and Adam Kraus is the No. 3 goalie at Boston University.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.