In late February of this year, R.H. “Bob” Peters formerly announced his retirement as head coach of Bemidji State University. The Hobey Baker Award Committee isn’t allowing him to rest and is very pleased to dm^unce him as this year’s “Legend of Hockey.”

Coach Peters completes a brilliant 37-year coaching career at the university level with 744 wins – the second most on the all-time college hockey win list. His debut was spectacular. Graduating from the University of North Dakota in 1960, where he toiled as goalie for the Fighting Sioux, Bob accepted the head coaching position at North Dakota in 1964. That first year, he led the Sioux to a WCHA Championship, a third place finish at the NCAA’s and was bestowed with Coach of the Year honors.

Two years later, Bob headed to Bemidji State to guide the Beavers fledgling program. That first year, his team skated outdoors. Two years later, he had his first NAIA national championship igniting a winning tradition that saw Bob gain more than 700 wins at Bemidji – more wins than any other coach with a single team in college hockey history.

The program evolved over the years leaving Peters with the distinction of being the only collegiate head coach to have teams reach the final four in all four divisions of collegiate hockey championships: NCAA I, II, III and NAIA. During his tenure at Bemidji State, he guided the Beavers to 13 national championships while laying claim to two college hockey records: most wins in an undefeated season (31-0 in 1984); and the longest unbeaten streak at 43 games (Nov.8, 1983 to Jan. 1, 1985).

Bob’s crowning feat came over a period of time as he guided the Beavers from a small college program to Division I status. Bemidji State became a Division I program two years ago and now competes as a member of the College Hockey America conference. Bob may be best known for having produced more coaches than any other coach. Hockey followers say over 100 former BSU players have coached at the high school or college level.

While Peters has retired as the head hockey coach, he remains on staff at the University in an administrative capacity as a fund-raiser and director of hockey operations. Bob’s resources will help ensure a successful launch into the future at the Division I level.