Peters entered the college hockey head coaching ranks in 1964 as bench boss at the University of North Dakota.
During his initial campaign, Peters, the eventual Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year, led the Fighting Sioux to a WCHA title and a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
He coached in Grand Forks for two seasons, leading the Sioux to a 42–20–1 mark before making a career decision that would change the face of collegiate hockey.
Within two seasons Peters led BSU to its first national championship and set the foundation for what would become one of the most dominant programs in college hockey.
He has proven his administrative skills at Bemidji State by serving as athletic director and head hockey coach, and he lent service to several committees.