Petersen Chosen in Fifth Round

June 30, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Waterloo, Iowa-Cal Petersen had to go a long way to eventually play for the junior hockey team in his hometown, but his dedication has put him on a path to continue beyond Waterloo to South Bend, Indiana, and perhaps Buffalo, New York.

Petersen was selected by the Sabres in the fifth round of the NHL Draft with the 129th overall pick. He follows fellow Waterloo goaltenders Eamon McAdam and Stephon Williams on Sunday after only four other Black Hawks goalies had been chosen in franchise history. The St. Louis Blues selected defenseman Mark Lanigan in 1984, the only previous Waterloo native to ever be drafted by a National Hockey League club.

Before joining the Waterloo Black Hawks on a fulltime basis this season, Petersen spent two winters playing midget hockey in Chicago. That investment put the 6-1, 175-pound netminder in position to share the Hawks' crease this season, and his play led to a commitment with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In 2012/13, Petersen won 21 games, just the eighth time during Waterloo's junior era that a goalie has earned 20 or more victories in one regular season. With a 2.97 goals-against average and 90.6% save percentage, he was named to the United States Hockey League's All-Rookie Team and placed fourth among North American goalies in NHL Central Scouting's Pre-Draft Rankings.

"From a very young age, Cal has been willing to sacrifice in order to improve his natural talent," said Waterloo Head Coach P.K. O'Handley. "Being drafted is a step in the process, and still a ways from stepping onto the ice in the NHL, but Cal's dedication makes it easy to believe that the best of his hockey career is still ahead of him."

The Black Hawks anticipate that Petersen will remain in Waterloo during the 2013/14 season.

In December 2011, Derek Whitmore was called up by the Sabres. Defenseman Drew MacKenzie is the only previous Buffalo draft pick with ties to Waterloo. He was chosen in 2007 and joined the Hawks the following year. Buffalo has had great success with American-born goaltender Ryan Miller, who has manned the Sabres' crease since 2005.

United States Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2013

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• Pair of Saints Selected During 2013 NHL Entry Draft - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• What a Draft Day - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Ice Pair Selected in 2013 NHL Draft - Indiana Ice
• Lumberjacks Have Banner Day at 2013 NHL Entry Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Sharks Make Jackson Late Choice - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stephon Williams Selected in the 4th Round of NHL Draft by NY Islanders - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Petersen Chosen in Fifth Round - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Freshman Year Leads Williams to Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Islanders Also Add Top Scorer Cammarata - Waterloo Black Hawks
• McAdam Makes Impression on Islanders - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Hawks Draft Pick Taken in NHL Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks
• McCoshen Leads off Second Round of NHL Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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