Lukas Peterson said playing college hockey was a dream of his. He is getting his chance to realize that dream at the University of Maine, and the freshman defenseman is off to a good start.
The five-foot-10, 168-pound native of Waldwick, New Jersey is on the smaller side for a college defenseman. But he’s already turned into a reliable performer for the Black Bears.
“I’ve been trying to work on the defensive side of my game. Being a smaller, offensive-minded defenseman, you have to take care of the defensive zone,” Peterson said. “I’m playing against bigger, stronger guys, so I have to keep working on that every day.”
Peterson did not play in the season opener against Holy Cross but suited up the following night and recorded an assist against the Crusaders. He has been in the lineup ever since, paired with senior co-captain Brandon Holt, who was a third-team All-Hockey East selection last year and the runner-up to Boston College’s Eamon Powell for the league’s best defensive defenseman.
In his nine games so far, Peterson has produced five assists, including two in an 8-5 win over Boston University. He has blocked 10 shots and holds a plus-five rating in plus-minus. (For reference, players receive a plus-one if they are on the ice when their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal, and a minus-one if the opposing team scores under similar circumstances.)
Peterson plays in all situations: power play, penalty kill, and his regular shifts.
The 6-3-1 Black Bears are currently 3-1 in Hockey East and ranked eighth in one national poll and 10th in another. They will entertain Vermont (3-5, 1-3) on Friday and Saturday nights, with puck drops at 7 and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
“It has been super fun,” said Peterson, who grew up about 30 miles outside of New York City. “I’ve been learning from the older guys and having a blast.”
He has particularly enjoyed being paired with Holt. “He does everything right. I try to learn from him every day,” Peterson said about UMaine’s co-captain.
Holt praised Peterson as well, calling him an exceptional partner. “As an older guy, it’s great to see his growth,” Holt said. “He is so dynamic. He has so much upside. He’s always looking to make a play, and a lot of times he makes a good one.”
Like all younger players on the team, there is room for Peterson to grow defensively, Holt added. “But you see a lot of grit in his game for a smaller guy, and he defends really hard. He has been a really good defender.”
UMaine head coach Ben Barr noted that Peterson has simplified his game, which has made him a better player overall.
“He has a lot of pop to his game,” Barr said. “He has a good stick, he’s quick, and he’s feisty. He has gotten better every day.”
Peterson was the second-leading scorer among defensemen in the United States Hockey League (USHL) last season, with 44 points on eight goals and 36 assists in 62 games for the Green Bay Gamblers.
“He has offensive ability. It’s just trying to find that line of not being a defensive liability while being an offensive guy. That takes time,” Barr explained.
The Black Bears coach also mentioned that he’s been fortunate to be around some of the best offensive defensemen in college hockey.
“It’s an art to figure out when to take chances, when not to, when to hop into plays, and when not to,” Barr said. “He’s feeling that out and working through that. He’s a coachable player.”
Holt also credited Peterson for being a very good skater. “He has a lot of upside; he just has to keep working,” Barr added about the freshman.
Peterson said he constantly works on his skating and playmaking because those are the skills a smaller defenseman needs to make it to the next level. He considers himself a student of the game, and his desire to learn and improve has helped make the transition from junior hockey to college hockey easier.
Peterson chose UMaine because of the coaching staff and the long list of impressive players who have worn Black Bear colors. He also loves playing at Alfond Arena.
“It’s the best arena I’ve ever played in,” said Peterson.
He wants to contribute offensively but knows he has to play well in the defensive zone and continue to improve in all areas, including his strength.
“If I do the right things right and keep things simple, the points will come,” Peterson said.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/12/sports/college-ice-hockey/lukas-peterson-defenseman-umaine-hockey-joam40zk0w/
