Bears' Rhea Peterson (left) committed to Adrian College. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Bears’ Peterson commits to Adrian College

Jan 16, 2021 | 12:38 PM

As she waits to play the game she loves again, longtime Prince Albert Northern Bears forward and leader Rhea Peterson is thinking about her future.

Pandemic permitting, Peterson will play NCAA hockey with the Adrian College Bulldogs in Adrian, Mich.

“It took a while to process everything,” Peterson said, who committed to Adrian back on Dec. 10. “Even when I processed it, I am moving pretty far. I don’t think it’s really actually going to hit me until I’m down there.”

Peterson already has a connection on the Bulldogs in defender Colby Donald, who played with Peterson on the Bears in the 2017-18 season. And when the Bulldogs coaching staff came calling, both Donald and Bears head coach Jeff Willoughby gave some glowing endorsements.

“At first, she was like ‘oh yeah, it’s a nice place. You should look into it.’ I think the coaches talked to Jeff and Jeff pushed me. I owe a lot to Jeff and Colby, that’s for sure,” she said.

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In the times we live in now, Peterson hasn’t been able to visit the facilities in Adrian or meet her coaches past emails and video calls. But Peterson already feels welcome with her soon-to-be new club.

“When I committed, lots of them reached out to me and introduced themselves, sent me their numbers and said if I ever needed anything, to reach out,” she explained. “They’ve all been super friendly, already. I’m excited. It’s going to be good.”

Peterson is in her fourth year with the Bears, scoring 10 goals and 25 points in 83 career games. She played in two of the Bears’ four games this season, registering two assists.

She said over her four years as a Bear, she has learned a lot from Willoughby and assistant coach Gord Hobson and her game has grown a ton.

The Debden product said she was looking forward to hosting the 2021 Esso Cup this year, especially after last year’s was cancelled. But with hockey continually getting pushed back, it’s starting to weigh on Peterson.

“It’s been frustrating a lot, with times getting pushed back again and practicing with only eight people. As a team, it’s frustrating and as a player, it’s frustrating not knowing—ever,” Peterson said. “Obviously, we had the second chance at Esso and the possibility of not getting that again, then I’m done. I’m not going to get another shot at Esso [after this season]. Like I told the girls today, at least we got to play four games.”

Peterson is hoping to end her Under-18 career with the Bears on the national stage. But barring that, she is ready for what the future will hold.

“I’m excited—not necessarily to leave, but it’s going to be completely different and I’m ready for that,” Peterson said.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW