Dylan Peterson waited six years between being drafted and playing his first NHL game. When it finally came on Tuesday night in Ottawa, his parents were in the stands for it, and the broadcast found them at an inconvenient moment.
Their son had just dropped the gloves with Senators rookie Jorian Donovan.
Whatever went through them during the fight itself, the verdict afterwards was never in doubt. The St. Louis Blues posted the clip of the family in the crowd with a caption lifted straight from his mother.
“THAT’S MY BOY!” she yelled.
Who is Dylan Peterson?
St. Louis took him in the third round, 86th overall, in 2020. Four years at Boston University followed, producing 23 goals and 60 points, before he signed a two-year entry-level deal in 2024 and spent last season in Springfield with the Thunderbirds. He is 24, stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 209 pounds.
The call came after Dillon Dube was ruled out for eight weeks with a neck injury, and Peterson had made his case in the preseason by picking up two fighting majors in three games.
He played 8:57 on the fourth line alongside Ross Johnston and Pius Suter, threw four hits, and took the fighting major. He also did the work that led to Suter’s second goal without being credited for it, his forecheck creating the separation that let Johnston find Suter across the ice.
READ MORE: Nathan MacKinnon fought again and the hockey world loved it
Head coach Jim Montgomery had no complaints.
“Really good first game in the NHL. As a fourth line right-winger, he did exactly what you want a fourth line right-winger to do,” Montgomery said. “He was heavy on pucks, he was relentless on pucks, he was physical and he executed really well with and without the puck.”
Peterson’s own thoughts went straight to the people the camera had found.
“It’s just so worth it, all the effort that me and my family have put in, all the love and support I’ve received from them to get here and play with the Blues is super fulfilling and I’m very grateful,” he said.
St. Louis won the game 7-2.
Read more:
