“Devoted,” “spunky” and “a light to our team” are all ways fellow teammates describe Peyton Anderson.
“Once I started playing hockey, it was over everything else,” said Anderson, a graduate student forward on the women’s hockey team. “It was an easy choice for me.”
After starting hockey in third grade, Anderson had firmly set her sights on playing Division I hockey and relished the sport’s quick-paced nature. She credits her collegiate success to her older sisters, parents and coaches, who have always pushed her to do her best on and off the ice.
Anderson’s gritty and creative style of play enables her to feed her teammates the puck with ease, score odd-angled goals and, in turn, create numerous offensive opportunities. During the March 2 Hockey East Semifinal against Boston College, Anderson was able to successfully maneuver the puck through a narrow opening that rebounded off an opponent’s skate into the net. Goals like these highlight Anderson’s scoring ability regardless of where she might be on the rink.
In the 2022-23 season, she appeared in all 38 games and scored a career-high 11 goals, nine more than the previous season — currently, Anderson is on track to surpass her career-high goals.
Head coach Dave Flint expressed clear confidence in Anderson’s ability on the ice.
“Let Peyton do what she does behind the net and just get open,” Flint said.
Anderson’s greatest triumph came during an Oct. 28 game against the College of the Holy Cross. She not only secured a hat trick, but became Northeastern’s top-scorer for that season. Fifth-year forward Katy Knoll credited Anderson for her consistency and level-headedness, which all her teammates rely on.
“You can always count on her to make that play or make something happen,” Knoll said. “She provides great support all over the ice, and she’s willing to get in the gritty areas to get the puck back, which is so essential.”
2023 was a year of change for the Northeastern women’s hockey team due to the influx of younger players, and Knoll recognized Anderson as playing a big part in bringing the team together. Whether it be Bachelor Monday movie nights, two-touch soccer or practical jokes in the locker rooms, Anderson’s efforts have encouraged a bonded team chemistry which transferred into a positive turnaround on the ice to end the season.
“Her positive light has led to increased freedom on the ice, which allows us to hold our sticks less tight, which contributes to our success in games,” senior forward Molly Griffin said.
Anderson’s mentorship runs deeper with a certain player — her younger sister, sophomore forward Avery Anderson. From correcting her positioning on the ice to suggesting hand placement on her hockey stick, Peyton Anderson is always willing to give constructive criticism when it comes to strengthening one’s hockey arsenal.
“I remember when I was a sophomore and how hard it is to go from being in high school to coming to college and being on your own,” Peyton Anderson said.
From waking up at 7 a.m. to accompanying each other through skating and lifting sessions, they are always pushing each other to grow and improve.
As a veteran amidst a team of many younger players, Anderson has led by example, giving her best effort in games and building up her teammates in a constructive manner that sets the standard for new athletes.
“She leads on and off the ice and is always there to get better,” Griffin said. “Whether that be shooting pucks or polishing her skills, this motivates everybody and you want to do the same and give that back to her.”
According to Anderson, being part of a team is something that has always been important to her growth as a well-rounded individual. She appreciates the invaluable relationships harbored, which have made her time as a student-athlete greatly worthwhile.
“The seniors on the team when I was a freshman told me the importance of building relationships with your teammates,” Anderson said. “That was something throughout all of my five years that has been really important to me and helped me have the best experience here too.”
