Think of the ultimate teammate. What attributes would they possess?

Thoughtful? Encouraging? Energizing? Strong? Helpful?

Peter “Petey” Naffah was all of these things and more to the Denver hockey team, and his passing on Dec. 20 has left an immeasurable gap in the program, current and former Pioneers said. Petey, as he was affectionately known inside and out of the locker room, was 31.

It was the locker room where Petey did some of his best work.

“We loved having him around; the players loved him,” coach Jim Montgomery said. “He would go from room to room and talk to everyone. He’d put a smile on your face every time.”

A huge sports fan, working with DU’s hockey team was a lifelong dream of Petey’s, and once in the fold he went about his work with an unbridled enthusiasm.

“He would help with anything – filling water bottles, folding towels, grabbing tape if one of the boys needed to work on his stick,” DU captain Tariq Hammond said. “There was just an energy and a positivity that he brought every day. He was always excited to see us, and he was always excited to help.”

No matter how much hockey grows, it remains a close-knit community, and that’s how Petey became a most treasured Pioneer.

“(Former Avalanche coach) Tony Granato reached out in my second year at Denver and told me about Petey,” Montgomery said. “Tony had met him through Petey’s friend PJ, who helped the Avalanche in the locker room. He said how great it was for the team to have PJ there.

“Petey was working in the cafeteria at Nelson Hall on campus and would come by with his mom (Kathi). One thing led to another.”

Former Pioneer Evan Cowley picks up the story from there.

“During my sophomore year Monty came in with Petey and his mom and said he had a passion to help us, and he ended up helping us more than anyone realized at the time,” the goaltender said. “From the get-go he was so loving and so comfortable around us.

“Monty has his days when maybe he’s not in the best mood, like all of us, and no matter what Petey would come in and start asking him questions. If he sensed we were down, he’d ask us questions.

“He had such a great sense of humor eventually we’d all be laughing. He evolved in this guy that everyone wanted in the locker room. He’d ask us about classes, about girls.”

Yes, Petey loved all of the Pioneers, but he gravitated toward two of Cowley’s roommates – Grant Arnold and Brad Hawkinson.

“Grant was his favorite player,” Hammond said.

Added Cowley, “The draw for Petey was not only was Grant the captain but just the type of guy he is. He was such a great leader and role model and Petey looked up to him.

“Petey would sit beside Grant in the locker room, and he continued to stay in the same spot after Grant left. That just became Petey’s spot. He was around a lot and he got to know Hawk pretty well, too.”

Hawkinson endured a seemingly endless string of injuries during his DU career, and with injuries can come discouragement for high-level athletes, something that didn’t escape Petey’s notice.

“My friendship with Petey was unique since we spent so much time together,” Hawkinson said. “I was injured the majority of the time so I got to watch a lot of practices and games with him.

“Even if the mood in practice was negative, he could lift everyone’s spirits. The best example was during a practice a few years ago, Monty was getting on us pretty hard, and Petey asked ‘Are you OK coach?’ from the bench. Everyone including Monty got a kick out of it, and it really lightened the mood and led to a productive practice.

“For me personally it was the same. If I couldn’t be on the ice with the team, I would obviously get pretty bummed out. But every time Pete was around I saw his vibe and energy and it really helped bring mine up too.”

Hawkinson also recalled the time when Petey did a cooking presentation at DU, where the student cooked a meal for family and friends.

“He was proud of his work, and it was some killer pasta,” Hawkinson said.

If the locker room was Petey’s first domain, a close second might have been the bowling alley, where his prowess was legendary with players.

“During breaks we’d have team bowling tournaments and Petey was always on one of the teams,” Hammond said. “He’d usually beat most of us on the scoresheet.”

And Petey never let his hockey-playing buddies forget who had the best gear.

“He had his own custom bowling ball and shoes,” Cowley said. “And these special gloves. He was always the VIP.”

It also wasn’t uncommon for Petey to get some extra practice with Arnold, Cowley and Hawkinson.

“We (our house) got to take him out bowling a few times as well which was always a good time,” Hawkinson said. “He beat me in bowling very consistently. So our friendship came from just spending a ton of time together off the ice. He was so positive and happy all the time that it made it very very easy to spend the time together.”

Petey was active in Special Olympics of Colorado, traveled with the Wayfaring Band and attended Adams Camp every summer. He loved to learn and attended Higher Vision Education supported by Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association.

“It’s tough when you lose someone who became part of the team’s identity,” Cowley said. “The hole he’s left is one that’s going to be tough to fill.”

Petey’s passing has added fuel to the Pioneers’ fire, Hammond said.

“We want to honor him the right way,” he said. “I don’t think people know how much he meant to us.”

An on-campus memorial service for Petey is planned for Jan. 31 from 3-4 p.m. at Sturm Hall – Davis Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Gold Club / Gottesfeld Room at Magness Arena.

Those attending are asked to wear crimson and gold to honor a true Pioneer.

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