Position:
Center Shoots: Right Height: 5'11" Weight: 185 Birth Date: 3-26-74 Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario Jersey Number: 27 Compensation: $1,475,000 |
The Physical Game
Peca plays much bigger than his size. He's gritty and honest, and is always trying to add more weight. He has a tough time even keeping an extra five pounds on, and the Sabres have to be cautious about overplaying him. He also had a little trouble coming back from his knee injury late in the season. He's among the best open-ice hitters in the league. Peca is able to launch successful strikes against bigger players because of his timing, balance and leg strength. He will also drop the gloves and go after even the biggest foe. He is prickly and in-your-face, though opponents are less impressed with his diving skills.
The Intangibles
Peca is an ideal third-line player. Although he lacks the size to match up with some of the league's bigger forwards, he is tireless in his pursuit and effort. He adds energy to the lineup. That deal for Alexander Mogilny looked so lopsided in Vancouver's favour in 1995, but the Sabres got a player who cares and shows up every night. Can't say the same for the Canucks.
Projection
We predicted 40 points and a Selke nomination for Peca last season and will say the same again.
Season | Team/League | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | PP | SH | GW | GT | Shots | Pct |
1990-91 | SUDB/OHL | 62 | 14 | 27 | 41 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1991-92 | OT67/OHL | 27 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1991-92 | SUDB/OHL | 39 | 16 | 34 | 50 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1992-93 | HAMI/AHL | 9 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1992-93 | OT67/OHL | 55 | 38 | 64 | 102 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1993-94 | OT67/OHL | 55 | 50 | 63 | 113 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1993-94 | VANC/NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 |
1994-95 | SYRA/AHL | 35 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
1994-95 | VANC/NHL | 33 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 30 | -6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 46 | 13.04 |
1995-96 | BUFF/NHL | 68 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 67 | -1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 109 | 10.09 |
1996-97 | BUFF/NHL | 79 | 20 | 29 | 49 | 80 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 137 | 14.60 |
1997-98 | BUFF/NHL | 61 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 57 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 132 | 13.64 |
1998-99 | BUFF/NHL | 82 | 27 | 29 | 56 | 81 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 199 | 13.57 |
NHL TOT | 327 | 82 | 106 | 188 | 317 | 37 | 27 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 628 |