Dave Peterson

David Richard Peterson (January 5, 1931 – July 17, 1997) was an American ice hockey coach. He grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduated from Hamline University, and played semi-professional hockey as a goaltender for the Minneapolis Millers. He served as head coach of ice hockey at Southwest High School from 1955 to 1982, where he also taught business. His teams qualified for 14 Minnesota State High School League tournaments, which included an undefeated 1969–70 season to win the state championship.

Peterson was the director of coaching and player development for USA Hockey, wrote its coaching manual for goaltenders, served as the goaltender coach on the United States men's team at the 1984 Winter Olympics, and was head coach of the team at Ice Hockey World Championships in 1985, 1986, and 1987. As head coach of the United States men's team at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, his teams finished in seventh and fourth place respectively. He also served as head coach of the United States men's junior team which won its first World Junior Championship medal with a bronze in 1986. He verbally sparred with media at the 1988 Winter Olympics, and was criticized for his coaching strategy, player selection, and gruff disposition.

The American Hockey Coaches Association recognized him with the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award in 1993. He was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Fame. USA Hockey annually gives the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award to a junior ice hockey goaltender. Minnesota Hockey operates an annual Dave Peterson CCM High Performance Goalie Camp for high school students, and gives the Dave Peterson Award to a high school coach for leadership in developing hockey.

Early life and playing career David Richard Peterson was born on January 5, 1931, in Superior, Wisconsin, to parents Hiram and Marie Peterson. Full name: David Richard Peterson Birthdate calculated as January 5, 1931: Peterson was reported to have his 57th birthday on January 5, 1988. Born in Superior, Wisconsin, to parents Hiram and Marie Peterson

Peterson attended Hamline University to play football, and earned a teacher's degree. He also played hockey at Hamline, and semi-professional hockey for per game. Peterson returned to the Millers for the 1952–53 season, now in the Central Hockey League, He also served as the school's first soccer coach, Peterson's teams at Southwest High School qualified for 14 Minnesota State High School League tournaments, including one state championship, one second-place finish, two third-place results, and one consolation championship.

United States national coaching Peterson began working for the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS) in the mid-1970s, writing a manual on coaching goaltenders. He served as an assistant coach to Lou Vairo on the United States men's junior team at the 1983 World Junior Championships.

As head coach of the United States men's team at Ice Hockey World Championships, Peterson led them in 1985, 1986, and 1987. He also served as head coach of the United States men's junior team which won its first IIHF World Junior Championship medal with a bronze in 1986, and a fourth-place finish in 1987. He later served as head coach for the US men's national team at the 1987 Pravda Cup.

1988 Winter Olympics The Calgary Saddledome hosted ice hockey games at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The AHAUS chose Peterson as head coach of the United States men's team for ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics, when it desired a coach who was committed to the players and teaching, instead of furthering his own career. Peterson called the international media "dishonest, lazy and uninformed", and also stated "I have a tough time believing some of you have ever seen a hockey game".

After the 1988 Winter Olympics, Peterson worked as the director of coaching and player development for AHAUS. He conducted coaching clinics across the nation, and wanted to change the perception that a player had to go to a college-preparatory school in the Eastern United States for better coaching. He also advocated more quality coaching time for youths, and to have two practices per game played.

1992 Winter Olympics The French ski resort Méribel hosted ice hockey games at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

USA Hockey chose Peterson as head coach for the United States men's team in ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Despite the previous criticism, Art Berglund felt that Peterson deserved a second chance, and stated that "most of the criticism was unfair". His remains were cremated and interred in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Honors and legacy Peterson received the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award from the American Hockey Coaches Association in 1993, in recognition of his contributions to coaching with the AHAUS and USA Hockey. He was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

After Peterson's death, USA Hockey president Walter Bush said, "The sport of hockey has lost a true leader, a man who touched the lives of countless players, fellow coaches and friends during a remarkable career".

Peterson was posthumously inducted into the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. and gives the Dave Peterson Award to a high school coach for leadership in developing hockey.