Dave Peterson | |
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| Born | January 5, 1931 |
| Died | July 17, 1997 (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Lakewood Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Hamline University |
| Occupation | High school teacher |
| Years active | 1953–1984 |
| Known for |
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| Honors | Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award |
David Richard Peterson (January 5, 1931 – July 17, 1997) was an American ice hockey coach. He grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduated from Hamline University, and played semi-professional hockey as a goaltender for the Minneapolis Millers. He served as head coach of ice hockey at Southwest High School from 1955 to 1982, where he also taught business. His teams qualified for 14 Minnesota State High School League tournaments, which included an undefeated 1969–70 season to win the state championship.
Peterson was the director of coaching and player development for USA Hockey, wrote its coaching manual for goaltenders, served as the goaltender coach on the United States men's team at the 1984 Winter Olympics, and was head coach of the team at Ice Hockey World Championships in 1985, 1986, and 1987. As head coach of the United States men's team at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, his teams finished in seventh and fourth place respectively. He also served as head coach of the United States men's junior team which won its first World Junior Championship medal with a bronze in 1986. He verbally sparred with media at the 1988 Winter Olympics, and was criticized for his coaching strategy, player selection, and gruff disposition.
The American Hockey Coaches Association recognized him with the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award in 1993. He was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Fame. USA Hockey annually gives the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award to a junior ice hockey goaltender. Minnesota Hockey operates an annual Dave Peterson CCM High Performance Goalie Camp for high school students, and gives the Dave Peterson Award to a high school coach for leadership in developing hockey.