BACK IN NET

PALMER — The Alaska Avalanche have brought back blueliners. Top-scoring forwards have pulled on the Avs sweater for a second, and even third, season.

But in the six-year history of the Mat-Su Valley-based Tier II Junior A hockey franchise, one thing had never happened. The Avs had never welcomed back a starter goaltender for a second tour of duty — until this season.

Landon Peterson, who helped Alaska set franchise records with 32 wins and 71 total points, is back to open the 2010-11 season as the Avs’ top netminder.

Until this year, landing a goaltender was always at the top of the to-do list for the Avs coaching staff. But with Peterson penciled in as Alaska’s go-to goalie, first-year head coach Brian Huebel said the Avs didn’t have to be as concerned about that position.

“It’s big,” Huebel said of Peterson’s return. “Obviously Landon’s a very good goaltender. He’s a great kid. He’s a leader, he leads by example. We know what he’s all about.”

Huebel knows Peterson’s character. Peterson hails from Oregon, Wisc., and shares a home state with the Alaska head coach. Huebel, an Avs assistant last year, also saw what type of season Peterson put together. Despite splitting time in net with the departed Kale Robertson, Peterson posted numbers that stand among the best recorded by any Avalanche goaltender.

Peterson holds the second-best saves percentage (.911) and goals against average (2.94) in franchise history. He’s fourth on the franchise list in wins, 13, despite making only 31 starts. Peterson also has a pair of shutouts, second-best in team history.

Peterson becomes just the second Alaska goaltender to play more than one season with the Avs. Nathaniel Pellegrino was the team’s second-string netminder in 2006-07 and returned via trade two years later. Huebel said the goalie has been impressive as the Avs prepare for its season-opener against the Kenai River Brown Bears tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Palmer Ice Arena.

“He’s really looked sharp,” Huebel said. “Last year he was platooning. But now he’s our No. 1 guy.”

At 6-foot, 180-pounds, Peterson brings size to the Alaska net. But that’s not his only attribute.

“He’s athletic, he’s pretty technically sound,” Huebel said.

Huebel said Peterson worked with Dallas Stars goalie coach Mike Valley during the summer, and has made improvements.

“He worked hard during the offseason,” Huebel said.

After Robertson opted to return to Canada and play closer to his home in Manitoba, the Avs did sign another netminder. Former West Anchorage High School standout Blake Mendenhall enters the season as Peterson’s back-up.

Huebel said Mendenhall, a first-year junior player, is still adjusting to life at the next level, but the Anchorage native has been a proven winner at every level. Mendenhall led West Anchorage to a 2010 Alaska 4A state title and was named the state’s player of the year. He also led his Alaska All-Stars midget team to a state crown and USA Hockey Pacific Division championship.

Contact Frontiersman sportseditor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.