Michael Peca

Michael Anthony "Mike" Peca (born March 26, 1974) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League (NHL). He most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. He has also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He retired on January 19, 2010 after 13 seasons in the NHL. On August 4, 2011 he was named general manager of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres.

Personal life
Peca and wife Kristin live in Getzville, NY with their two children, son Trevor and daughter Emily.

Playing career
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 leagues top offensive players. He was selected to represent Canada at the 1994 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He captained the Canadian team at the 2001 World Championships in Germany. His nickname was "Captain Crunch" because of his penchant for delivering bone-crushing open ice hits.

Peca 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. He was a member of the gold medal-winning Canadian ice hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers in a trade with the New York Islanders in exchange for Mike York.

Peca was part of the Cinderella Edmonton Oiler team that made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Peca had 6 goals and 5 assists in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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. On July 18, 2006, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they had signed Peca as a free agent to a one-year $2.5 million contract for the 2006–07 NHL season, making Tucker and Peca teammates.

During a game against the Blackhawks on December 22, 2006, Peca collided with Chicago defenceman Jim Vandermeer in the Toronto zone with 5:17 left in the first period. Vandermeer was assessed a minor penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. Peca sustained a fractured tibia at the base of his right knee and suffered significant ligament damage. He missed the remainder of the 2006–07 season.

On August 21, 2007, Peca signed a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. On October 11, 2008, Peca received an indefinite suspension (later reduced to a five game suspension) after grabbing referee Greg Kimmerly's arm in Columbus' first game of the 2008 season.

On January 19, 2010, Peca announced his retirement from professional hockey through NHLPA.

Contract dispute
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.

Despite the apparent bad blood, in the summer of 2007, then unrestricted free agent (UFA) Peca told the Buffalo News that he'd be willing to come back to the Sabres. However, the Sabres' front office did not sign him despite the loss of veteran co-captain centers Daniel Brière and Chris Drury.

Awards and achievements

 * Frank J. Selke Trophy winner in 1997, 2002.

International play

 * 1994 World Jr. Championship, Team Canada, gold medal
 * 2001 World Championship, Team Canada, captain
 * 2002 Winter Olympics, Team Canada, alternate captain, gold medal