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Michael Peca

Michael Peca
Michael Peca.PNG
Michael Peca (left) takes a face-off against Artem Chubarov (right) during the 2002-03 season.
Born (1974-03-26) March 26, 1974 (age 43)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for Vancouver Canucks
Buffalo Sabres
New York Islanders
Edmonton Oilers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Columbus Blue Jackets
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 40th overall, 1992
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 1993–2009
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2002 Salt Lake City
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1994 Czech Republic

Michael Anthony "Mike" Peca (born March 26, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Peca currently is the general manager and director of hockey operations for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, a Junior A hockey team owned by the Sabres, one of two teams he captained.

Peca began his junior career with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after they selected him in the first round of the 1990 player draft. He was traded to the Ottawa 67's where he blossomed into one of the league's top offensive players. He was drafted in the second round, 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Peca has twice won the Frank J. Selke Trophy for being the best defensive forward, in 1996–97 and 2001–02. Peca captained the Buffalo Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999. His nickname was "Captain Crunch" because of his penchant for delivering bone-crushing open ice hits.

For the 2000–01 season, Peca and the Buffalo Sabres could not agree on a contract. Peca went without a contract the entire season. Peca was later traded to the New York Islanders for Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt, where he led the Islanders to their first playoff berth in seven years. Peca was hip-checked by Toronto Maple Leafs' Darcy Tucker during the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs in game five of the first round. The check blew out Peca's MCL and ACL on his left knee, ending his season and delaying his entry into the 2002–03 campaign. No penalty was assessed.


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