If you can't find Petey Silverman at the Larson Ice Rink putting in the work for the Winthrop Vikings, you can probably find him just down the road playing street hockey.
The Vikings' senior forward is always getting friends and teammates together to play pick-up games or organize tournaments. Silverman is a hockey guy through and through.
Leading the way for Winthrop this year, Silverman put up 40 points (22g, 18a) through the first 13 games of the Vikings' season, turning heads. Winthrop head coach Dale Dunbar knows how important Silverman is to their undefeated start in the MIAA Division 4 standings.
"Pete's been a huge part of it," Dunbar said. "Pete's taken the reins. He's really an impact player for us."
While Silverman's contributions on the ice are evident, his contributions off the ice are as well. Silverman describes a close-knit locker room at Winthrop brimming with energy. The two-time captain's willingness to set the tone in practice and games with the team stems from his experience playing under excellent senior leadership as a freshman.
RECRUITING: What's been happening on the college hockey recruiting scene?
"Freshman year was difficult at first with COVID. But, you know, it was a great season. The seniors and leadership on our team were great. They really taught me the ways of how to be a high school player," Silverman said.
That culture has continued under Silverman.
"We have a great group of kids in our locker room,” he said. “Everyone gets together. It's such a fun time. On the ice, it's a great time. Everyone's buzzing around. In the locker room, it's even better. Everyone's best friends with each other."
But setting the tone for younger players comes with a responsibility to produce in games and during practice. In addition to generating chances for himself, his ability to create for his teammates makes him stand out. And Dunbar also credits the 5-foot-10 forward for playing "big" and physical, a good example for his teammates.
"He’s a great puck handler. He sees the ice very well. He distributes the puck as well. He’s not a selfish player by any means," Dunbar said. "His acceleration. His ability to play in traffic. He's not overly big by any means, but he plays big. He is not afraid to go to the dirty areas and get hit. He's really coming full circle at the right time in his senior year. He has really matured as a leader and as a person. And that's carried right onto the ice.
BEST OF THE BEST: Top boys prep performers from Jan. 23-30
"And he does it in practice, which is really big for me. I'm a big practice guy. I really believe the habits we form and practice are the way we're going to play. We put a lot of emphasis on practice. He wins every sprint and helps kids if they don't understand the drill. Pete's really come full circle. I'm really happy where he is right now."
As a leader, the example Silverman must set goes beyond just playing well and working hard in practice. Silverman noted that he has worked on ignoring the extra-curricular activities on the ice in a competitive division.
"(I'm) definitely just trying to stay focused," Silverman said. "There's a lot of trash talk in high school hockey, and I just have to stay away from it. Play my own game and do what's best for the team."
With much of the season left to play, Silverman has MIAA playoff hopes in the front of his mind. After falling in the second round of the MIAA tournament last season, Silverman hopes to raise another banner for the Vikings and also begin dominating the intra-conference play.
However, Silverman is thinking about his hockey future down the line. Drawing interest from Cushing the New England prep school ranks, Dunbar sees that route as a perfect opportunity for the Winthrop star.
"There's a few prep schools that have come to look at him,” Dunbar said. “He's definitely going to need a year of prep school and a year of junior. That seems to be the landscape today to be able to go in and play college hockey at any level.
STANDOUTS: 6 players who impressed in Lawrence Academy's 4-3 win over Belmont Hill
"He's the type of kid you want to take a chance on because he could be a dynamic penalty killer for you. He could be a great checker for you, and he's going to chip in with goals. He's that fringe player that I think in a couple of years could really play at the next level."
