Peterson, 26, spent the majority of last season with the ECHL's Florida Everblades, tying for third among the team's blueliners with 14 points (4-10-14) in 69 games and ranking fourth on the club with 101 penalty minutes. The Northborough, Mass., native led the Everblades with 115 PIM in 2006-07, when he placed third on the team with a plus-25 rating.

Entering his fifth pro season, Peterson shows 74 points (21-53-74) and 336 PIM in 281 career ECHL contests. He played four years at Boston College and was a member of the Eagles' national championship team as a freshman in 2001.

Atherton, 26, logged 55 games with ECHL Reading last season, leading Royals defensemen in all scoring categories and ranking third overall on the club with 41 points (16-25-41). Tampa Bay's fifth pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he also matched his AHL career high by appearing in nine games with the Manchester Monarchs, earning three assists and eight PIM.

Hailing from Edina, Minn., Atherton has totaled 81 points (24-57-81) in 137 pro contests over his two pro campaigns, including 10 points (3-7-10) in 25 AHL games. He skated four seasons for the University of Minnesota and was a member of the Golden Gophers' 2003 national championship team as a freshman.