Former Bobcat Matthew Peca Recalled By NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning
1/21/2018 6:11:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Former Quinnipiac men's ice hockey stand-out Matthew Peca has been recalled from the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch to the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning, as announced by the organization on Sunday, Jan. 21.
Peca was called up last season and suited up for 10 games with the Lightning. In that span, Peca picked up an assist for his first professional point before he later became the first Quinnipiac alum to score a goal in the NHL. He completed his professional debut with a goal and two assists.
This season, Peca leads Syracuse in assists (23) and points (31) and earned AHL All-Star honors.
Peca was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Draft by Tampa Bay before a four-year career at Quinnipiac. In that time, Peca scored 42 goals and assisted on 101 more for 143 career points. He became just the fourth player in program history to record 100 career assists and currently sixth in career points. Peca was the part of three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances including a run to the NCAA Championship Game in 2013. That season, Peca recorded the fastest hat trick in NCAA Tournament history in the Bobcats' East Regional Championship Game against Union.
After a stellar career with the Bobcats, Peca was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning and has excelled with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. In eight games in 2014, Peca accumulated a goal and three assists. In 2015-16, his first full season as a pro, Peca scored eight goals and assisted on 35 more for 43 points in 65 games. This season, Peca has recorded 12 assists to go-along with five goals for 17 points in 28 including a current seven-game point streak.
Peca was called up last season and suited up for 10 games with the Lightning. In that span, Peca picked up an assist for his first professional point before he later became the first Quinnipiac alum to score a goal in the NHL. He completed his professional debut with a goal and two assists.
This season, Peca leads Syracuse in assists (23) and points (31) and earned AHL All-Star honors.
Peca was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Draft by Tampa Bay before a four-year career at Quinnipiac. In that time, Peca scored 42 goals and assisted on 101 more for 143 career points. He became just the fourth player in program history to record 100 career assists and currently sixth in career points. Peca was the part of three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances including a run to the NCAA Championship Game in 2013. That season, Peca recorded the fastest hat trick in NCAA Tournament history in the Bobcats' East Regional Championship Game against Union.
After a stellar career with the Bobcats, Peca was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning and has excelled with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. In eight games in 2014, Peca accumulated a goal and three assists. In 2015-16, his first full season as a pro, Peca scored eight goals and assisted on 35 more for 43 points in 65 games. This season, Peca has recorded 12 assists to go-along with five goals for 17 points in 28 including a current seven-game point streak.
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