Minnesota Selects Hockey

Toby started out in the Orono Hockey program pushing a chair when we was four, playing squirt C's when he was five: Squirt B's at age six and making squirt A's at age seven.  When Toby was eight his family moved to Bloomington Jefferson where his mother had grown up and made the squirt A team.  When Toby was ten, the Jefferson Squirt A's became the first U.S team to win the North American Silver Stick in Sarania, Ontario and Toby was named the tournament M.V.P. Skating and hockey skills came naturally to Toby as did his unique ability to "see the ice".  He would always give 100% on every shift or in every practice drill.

Toby was fortunate to be growing up in arguable the finest youth hockey program in the country.  A person cannot put a price on the value of playing for great coaches like Kent Murphy, Greg Trebil, John Bianchi and Tom Saterdalen.  They built a dominant hockey program by emphasizing team play, academics, and sportsmanship.  You could always tell a Jefferson Hockey player at summer hockey because they always pass the puck.  In addition, the coaches encouraged the kids to experience a variety of sports programs.  Given this advice, Toby had quite an incredible baseball career while growing up.  The result of this program's philosophy has developed a group of well balanced, disciplined young men.

Toby played one year of PeeWee's before moving to Bantam A's.  His second year of Bantam, Jefferson lost in double overtime in the National Championship game.  In Ninth grade he landed on the Jefferson varsity.  The team was incredible.  They completed a State record 60 game unbeaten streak and won their third consecutive State High School championship.  Recently a National Hockey League news release asked a trivia question, "What was the best NHL team in 1994?"  The answer was the Blooming Jefferson Jaquars with Mark Parrish, Mike Crowley, Ben Clymer, and Toby Peterson.

Toy chose to graduate from High School a year early and narrowed his choices to Minnesota and Colorado College.  Toby grew up visiting Gustavus Adolphus College, his parents Alma Mater, which made him feel very comfortable with the size and academic program of Colorado College.  he liked the idea of going away and meeting players and students from around the world.  His respect for coach Don Lucia helped make Colorado College his number on choice.  To this day he would not change a thing.

Toby's freshman year at C.C. was really fun.. He led all Rookies in voting for the All-Rookie Team; made the W.C.H.A. Final Five all-tournament team and made it to the final four.  During Toby's freshman and sophomore years he was honored to be chosen for the US Team for the World Junior Championships.  Year one was in Geneva Switzerland where he centered Mike York and Eric Rassmussen on the first line.  They lost to Canada in the Gold Medal game.  he was a caption the next year but the US finished fifth (Canada was sixth!)

Toby graduated after four years at C.C. The school names him male student athletic of the year.  After breaking both leas his juniors year and having a so-so senior year he didn't know if Pro hockey s should be his future.  he gave it a shot - making the American Hockey League All-Star team and helped lead his team to the Calder Cup Finals.  In December of 2000 he was called up and played 12 games with the Penguins collecting 8 points.  He is semi-famous for being the player sent down to make room for Mario Lemieux.  This season he has been with the Penguins all season playing in seventy games with eight goals and ten assists.  He's fifth among NHL Rookies in shots on goal with 106.  He's having the time of his life!

All these team and individual accolades are great, but the inspiration Toby provides is what's really important.  his critics thought a 5'9" forward picked in the ninth round couldn't play NHL.  When he broke both legs they thought his career was likely over.  They didn't know whey were doubting the strengths and desires of an athlete who has been giving himself Insulin shots and 6 blood tests every day since he was five years old.  Toby's greatest satisfaction comes from hearing that he has inspired someone enough to make a positive difference in their life. (2002)