Sad News From the Danbury Hockey Family

Peter Vetri, a proud member of the Danbury Hockey family, passed away unexpectedly on May 4^th, 2023. He was 37 years old. 

Peter played four seasons for the Danbury Whalers and was a part of the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup Championship team. His best season as a Whaler came in the 2011-12 season, when he led the Federal Hockey League in save percentage with a .931% mark. He suited up for the Whalers when they skated the Commissioner’s Cup on home ice on March 22^nd, 2013.

Vetri was born on May 21st, 1985 in Windham, NH. He played NCAA DI Hockey at UMass Lowell and Quinnipiac before embarking on his professional hockey journey. 

Herm Sorcher, CEO/Partner of the Danbury Whalers commented, “Peter was a 4-year member of the Danbury Whalers and he had a huge impact on our organization. He played and won some tremendous games for us.”

Sorcher also added, “More importantly, he was an incredible teammate and part of the Whalers off ice efforts. We loved him and his personality filled the room. He was a star. He will be missed.”

Danbury Whalers President, Alan Friedman stated, “Peter was one of our guys. He gave us everything he had, every time out there.”

Danbury Whalers Head Coach, Phil Esposito commented, “Peter was one of the easiest guys I ever coached. Nothing ever got to him, he never got flustered and his compete level was through the roof. His team first attitude was contagious, and he was a big part of why we won it in 2013. On a personal level I was privileged to not only coach him but to have called him my friend for a lot of years. I loved that guy. He will not be forgotten.”

Danbury Whalers teammate Matt Caranci commented, “Anytime Vets was around, you knew you were going to enjoy yourself because it would only be a matter of time before he made you laugh. He lit up every room he walked into and had a way to always put a smile on your face. He was as honest and loyal a friend as I’ve ever had. The world lost a great guy and just an overall great human. He will be missed.”

Whalers teammate James Sanford, added on Vetri, “I loved him. In my first days in Danbury he knew I was going to be spending the holidays in the hotel and right away he invited me to his family’s home. I will never forget his kindness and his personality.”

Vetri is survived by his parents, Peter and Kathleen Vetri of Franklin, N.H., his fiancé, Alexia Belkina of Quincy, Mass., his sister, Mia Landry, and her significant other, Matthew Silva, along with their two sons, Ajay Landry and Blake Silva. Ajay Landry was Peter’s nephew and also his godson, and Blake Silva, Aiay’s brother, was Peter’s nephew, too.

Calling hours will be held on May 11, from 4-7 p.m., at the Carrier Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, N.H. 03087. A funeral mass will be celebrated on May 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vetri’s memory to Boston Children’s Hospital, the beneficiary of Granite Telecommunications annual Saving by Shaving event.