Giancarlo Nadeau
Nick Peters was born and raised in Powell River, where his family billeted many players for his local junior team, the Powell River Kings. He grew up watching the Kings and eventually played for them.
His dad was a goalie, and Peters wanted to be one since he was six. Having custom equipment was a perk that was simply too good for him to pass up. When Peters eventually came to the Coastal Tsunami, he was given new equipment to match the Tsunami theme.
Peters had always admired Carey Price and Marc Andre Fleury. “They are great guys and leaders on the ice,” he said. As for Price, Peters “always found him to be calm on the ice and to help his team win when he wanted to.” At 5’9”, Peters is not the tallest goaltender, but he quickly learned how to make himself big and make it hard for opposing players to score on him.
He played minor hockey in Powell River and spent some years with different academies. In the 2018-19 season, he was with the Delta Hockey Academy U15 prep. He then played in the Okanagan and suited up in eight games with his hometown Powell River Kings. “I was in the right place at the right time. I didn’t play in my hometown as we played in a bubble, but it was still awesome,” Peters said about the experience with the Kings.
Following his time in the BCHL, he moved to Campbell River, where he would spend the next three seasons. “I had a ton of fun there. It took a lot to be there. We probably had three of the best hockey teams I’d ever been on, and it was awesome,” he added.
In his first year with Campbell River, many 20-year-olds took him under their wing and showed him the ways of junior hockey. “I had a very good season in my first year and went from there.” The mentorship he received as a rookie would be passed on to other players he would play with.
Leaving the Campbell River Storm, where he had 69 wins, 13 losses, and five shutouts, to play for the newest expansion franchise in the PJHL was an easy transition. Not only would the 2004-born goaltender be close to home, but he would also find it easy to adjust to the Sunshine Coast lifestyle.
News on the 2024 VIJHL all-star joining the Coast officially broke on June 4, 2024. “I knew it was the right fit for me. Being with the Tsunami was unreal and a feeling I can’t explain.” Peters was named the team’s inaugural captain. “It meant a lot, and I had a great leadership group around me who helped out a lot.”
A 1-0 game on September 28 didn’t favour the Coastal Tsunami, who lost to the Grandview Steelers in a shootout, but it was still meaningful for the Tsunami’s starting goaltender. Despite losing 1-0, the goal was conceded past regulation time, meaning that Peters had secured the first Tsunami shutout in franchise history. “I honestly didn’t even really know. It’s cool to have the first one in franchise history, but I think the real one came a couple nights later.” he blanked the Surrey Knights in his next game. His final shutout was recorded on October 12 against the Langley Trappers.
Although he is moving on to the Red Lake Miners, he will always hold the Coastal Tsunami in high regard and believes in the direction the team is going. “I think the future is as bright as ever. We get treated very well. The fan base is second to none.”
Having friends and family in attendance regularly was quite remarkable. An “unreal fan base” made it fun for Peters to be part of the Coastal Tsunami. “Thanks for all the support. Thanks to Brad for getting me here.”
