Yaniv Perets: The Fatigue-less Phenom

By Dalton Rice and Peter Piekarski

Yaniv Perets makes his way down the handshake line after Quinnipiac loses to Michigan 7-4 in the Allentown Final of the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament (photo via Cameron Levasseur)

An unlikely candidate for the Hobey Baker award as the best player in college hockey, second semester goaltender Yaniv Perets stole the show for Quinnipiac en route to a historic season.

After joining the Bobcats in the spring of 2021, Perets was expected to backup Dylan St. Cyr, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame. However, an injury to St. Cyr in the season opening weekend gave Perets his opportunity to shine against Boston College and a childhood friend of his, Devon Levi, who was starting in net for Northeastern.

“I remember when the schedule came out over the summer we were both looking at it and we were like ‘oh shit, that’s pretty cool,’” Perets said. “We were both going to play against each other. I had to work hard and make sure I wasn’t out for it. It was a really cool experience, he’s an unbelievable goalie and an even better person.”

Perets stopped 36 of the 38 shots he faced during the Ice Breaker tournament, then proved he was meant to be the No. 1 goalie for Quinnipiac two weeks later by helping to defeat North Dakota in the home opener

Quinnipiac entered the season with high expectations after yet another winning season that saw the team reach the NCAA Tournament. Once Perets became the unanimous starter, the Bobcats looked poised to make a legitimate run to the Frozen Four.

Though Quinnipiac fell just short of that feat, Perets solidified his name as one of the best collegiate goaltenders. He finished the season with a 22-6-3 record, setting the men’s Division I goals against average record at just a 1.17 GAA, along with a .939 save percentage and was one shutout short of tying the men’s record.

The secret to his success is living in the moment. Perets locks himself in during every game by focusing specifically on his breathing patterns. It keeps his mind relaxed and prevents mental fatigue during games and over the duration of a season.

“I wish the season was still going, I’m not very tired at all,” Perets said. “The goal is the same thing next year, it’s just to win the National Championship.”

Over the last handful of seasons, Rand Pecknold’s squads have featured consistent goaltenders who have made it as far as the American Hockey League. After the departures of seniors Keith Petruzelli and Josh Mayanja along with Evan Fear transferring to Northeastern, Perets was the only goalie left on the roster before the arrival of St. Cyr and first-year commit Noah Altman joined the team.

Perets ultimately decided to attend Quinnipiac after playing with the Boston Junior Bruins in the USPHL. The name was recognizable to him and when the offer came in, he believed it was in his best interest to become a Bobcat.

Though he didn’t get the chance to show his talent off during the abnormal Quinnipiac season last year with only four ECAC Hockey teams competing, Perets made an immediate impact and the recognition he received reached league wide.

Peret’s breakout, record-setting season was statistically jaw-dropping and deserving of the recognition he accumulated at the end of the year. Perets was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award, a top-three finalist for the Mike Richter award given to the best goaltender in hockey, ECAC Player of the Year and Goalie of the Year along with First-Team All ECAC.

Despite all the wins, accolades and incredible statistics, Perets is so focused on the ultimate goal of winning the Frozen Four that everything means very little in comparison. While the recognition is cool for him, he does not pay attention to statistics during the season, to the point where athletic directors need to announce to press conference attendees that mentioning stats is off the table.

“(Perets) is like that, which is unusual but goalies always have a weird side,” Quinnipiac senior forward T.J. Friedmann said. “It works for him though, he’s very calm in net and he gives us all confidence to go and do our jobs.”

Quinnipiac expects to accomplish last years goal of winning the National Championship, and Perets decided to return for his sophomore season, declining to sign any form of professional contract.

Moments like playing in the Heroes Hat game at home against Yale are part of what made this season so special for him. But as cool as that shutout win was for Perets, his eyes are fixated on hoisting the NCAA National Champion trophy next April.