Communities on both sides of the Red River are mourning the loss of Zachary Solan Peterson, a 13-year-old lover of sloths and product of Haughton Middle School.

Know as "Solan" by most, Peterson, who died Saturday, was a busy little man. He loved to fish and could be found on Cross Lake riding a tube or a wake board during the summer. He competed in three Iron Fish triathlons.

Peterson’s talents were plentiful indoors, too. He was in the Talented Arts program at school and played guitar.

His No. 1 (literal) passion was hockey — on the ice and on the floor. Consequently, the Shreveport Mudbugs community has been shaken, wounds from a tragedy 11 years ago ripped open.

In 2008, the community lost George Cloutier, a 12-year old hockey fanatic. Like Peterson, Cloutier was a goalie and dreamed of playing for the Mudbugs.

Cloutier’s passion for the game, and love for his teammates and friends, was a driving force behind Shreveport’s return to hockey after a five-year hiatus (2011-16).

The Mudbugs poured millions of dollars into the Hirsch Coliseum and changed the name to “George’s Pond.”

More:About George's Pond: 'I can't think of anything better for Shreveport'

In many aspects, no one fit the mission of Mudbugs 2.0 and George’s dream more than Solan Peterson.

Five years ago, Peterson picked up hockey — on the floor — during the Mudbugs’ dark period. When ice returned to Shreveport, Peterson struck up a friendship with John Roberts, a goalie from Pennsylvania who came to town during the Mudbugs’ inaugural season (2016-17) in the North American Hockey League to set the stage for a college career or more.

Peterson wore Roberts’ No. 1 jersey and, for the past few years, has used a catching glove that was a gift from Roberts.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” Shreveport general manager Scott Muscutt said. “We are trying to help kids find their way. One of the things I love about this game is that it lets kids have a sense of identity. It helps them have confidence and self-esteem to help overcome life’s problems and the adversity that comes each and every day.

“It hurts my heart. It’s hard not to feel like we let him down. It’s hard for me to think about and talk about.”

Peterson's visitation is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City. The funeral will take place Thursday at 10 a.m. at First Bossier. The family has requested everyone wear hockey jerseys -- or any team's shirt/jersey -- to celebrate Peterson's love of the game.

Last month, two weeks before his 13th birthday, Peterson served as a goalie for the Junior Mudbugs during a 12U travel tournament in Little Rock. In addition to helping his team collect a runner-up finish, the colorful youngster would often look for a team mom with a camera and strike poses during the game.

The Mudbugs are working closely with USA Hockey and grievance counselors to create a plan to approach the sensitive subject and its fallout.

“(Solan) had his problems, his setbacks,” Muscutt said. “I wish we could have done more to make him understand that everybody does and that’s he’s special but he’s not different.”

The Peterson Family has been vital to the junior hockey programs for years. Solan’s father, Ronnie, coaches youth hockey while mother Bridget, serves as coach/Solan’s saves tracker. The couple also has a young daughter.”

Solan’s uncle, Ryan Peterson, also officiates youth games at The George on Saturdays. The Petersons have served as long-time off-ice officials for the Mudbugs franchise.

“When I look at the Petersons, all I see is people who do any thing and everything you can selflessly do to help better our community through the game of hockey,” Muscutt said. “They volunteer with a smile on their face. It’s a phenomenal young family that my heart is broken for. When you say, ‘Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you,’ in this case you know, ‘There is nothing I can do to let them know how much you care about them and how much they mean to you.”

Twitter: @RoyLangIII