Without Fear

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Icecat senior Peter Scott (22) elludes a Navy player at last Friday's game at the Tucson Convention Center. Scott is one of the Icecats' co-captains and also leads the team in penalty minutes.

"I am very competitive, and when I put the pads on I become a different person," Scott said. "I'm not the biggest and strongest guy out there, but I want to intimidate them and I'm not going to back down from a challenge."

There's no doubt that Scott won't back down from a challenge. He leads the team in penalty minutes at 153, and that doesn't include this past weekend's games against Navy.

Although the 6-foot-1 senior may not physically intimidate other teams, Scott tries to make an impression on the nine freshman and seven sophomores he plays with.

"The younger guys look at what I do out there," he said. "Hockey is a very physical sport and I have to show the boys that we're not going to be scared of anyone."

Now that Scott is a co-captain and one of four seniors, he understands what is really important to a successful team.

"My role has definitely changed over the years. I changed from being the hot-headed pistol to talking to and helping the younger guys. It's something that I wouldn't trade for the world," Scott said.

Icecat coach Leo Golembiewski said he agrees that Scott's role has changed.

"He's really stepped up this year, in terms of his leadership," Golembiewski said. "He's been one of the strongest hockey players this program has seen."

The Aspen, Col. native said he remembers what it was like to be one of the younger members on the team.

"I'm very grateful for this experience. It's something that you don't see as a young player," Scott said.

Before coming to the UA directly out of high school in 1993, Scott played in an All-Star Tournament in Chicago where he eventually met Icecat coach Leo Golembiewski. He said he remembers having a lot of options.

"In hockey there are lots of different avenues for success," Scott said. "After meeting the coach I decided that this would be the best place for me to go."

Although this is Scott's last year of eligibility, he will remain at the UA and graduate in May of 1998 with a degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics. Scott said his four years in the Icecat program has changed his personal life as well.

"I learned what great friendships are and about teamwork," Scott said. "It's all of the intangibles that you learn, that you need to be successful. Hockey is the greatest sport on earth."

Although Scott's role has helped the team this year, he admits that he used to hurt the team when he was a younger player.

"I used to not take the team's interest into account. I've grown up quite a bit. You can definitely hurt a team by getting stupid penalties, and I've cut that out a little bit," Scott said.

Golembiewski said the weakest part of Scott's game is the mental aspect.

"The game is so mental," Golembiewski said. "He's not as attentive as he should be. He has got to execute on and off the ice as his career here winds down."

Since Scott's focus has turned toward the success of his teammates, the National Tournament holds important significance to him.

"Every year it seems like we're missing a piece of the puzzle," Scott said about the Icecats' prior appearances in the tournament. "We haven't won a title since I've been here and that's something that I'd really like to do."

Scott said the team has a special chemistry that will help them in the long run.

"When a team works as a unit it is going to win every time," Scott said. "We each have an identity of our own and we come together when we have to."

Scott said that he appreciates Golembiewski for undrestanding that part of everyone.

"He accepts us as people first," he said, "and then as players. He's taken the time to get to know each player individually."

Many people may remember Scott as the player who was always in the penalty box. However, Scott said he wants to be remembered for something else.

"My smile," he said. "I want to be remembered as always having fun out there. I'll be around hockey the rest of my life. I can't give enough back to the sport."