Petersen Named Assistant Coach at Lawrence

Former St. Norbert forward and recent graduate Ryan Petersen has been hired as an assistant at Lawrence University. He will join the staff of head coach Mike Szkodzinski, also a former Green Knight, in a full-time capacity. He will become the first full-time assistant coach in Lawrence history.

"Ryan is a very smart person and is of the utmost integrity," said Szkodzinski. "He had a very successful career and is the type of person we know can come in and help this program move in the direction we want it to."

Petersen was a four year letter winner for the Green Knights and scored 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points in his 119 game career. He served as captain each of the past two seasons and twice garnered NCHA All-Academic accolades. In his four years, the Green Knights posted a gaudy 96-18-9 record, won three NCHA regular season titles, two Peters Cups and the 2008 National Championship.

A staple on the penalty kill, Petersen was also no stranger to scoring big goals, with his most memorable perhaps being the game-winner in St. Norbert's 2008 national quarterfinal 2-1 (ot) victory over St. Thomas -- a goal that might be just as memorable for its celebration as it is for its significance.

Petersen also assisted on Scott Pulak's goal in St. Norbert's 2-0 win over Plattsburgh in the 2008 national championship game.

As far as the future at Lawrence is concerned, Szkodzinski is convinced that having a full-time assistant is something that can only be a positive.

"This is an extremely important step for our program," he said. "This type of commitment from the University now puts the pressure on us to meet the expectations we ourselves have set for this program."

As to why Petersen's name rose to the top of Szkodzinski's list when he began his search for an assistant:

"If you talk to the people who have been around him the past four years, it's clear he has the right attitude and character to help us succeed here. There was just no doubt about it."

This season will mark Szkodzinski's fourth behind the Lawrence bench. The Vikings are 39-39-6 under Szkodzinski's tutelage, and their 16-11-1 record a season ago was the best in school history.

Petersen 2008 NCAA Quarterfinal Overtime Goal