Wake up, Mike, you’re headed to the Big Apple. Late last night Jeff Marek of Sportsnet reported that Mike Peca will be joining the New York Rangers coaching staff. Peca will be on the bench as an assistant alongside Peter Laviolette.
The former NHL forward has spent nearly his entire career in the state of New York. Captain of both the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders during his playing days, he then joined the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in a managerial and coaching role, before serving as an assistant with the Rochester Americans the last two seasons.
Though he never played for the Rangers, he’ll be familiar with the coaching style of his new boss. Laviolette was Peca’s coach with the Islanders for two years, including during his career-best 60-point campaign in 2001-02, after being given the captaincy.
In all, Peca registered 465 points in 864 NHL games, while taking home the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward on two occasions. This will be his first NHL coaching role.
Congrats to Michael on breaking into the NHL ranks, too bad Buffalo couldn’t see this & move him up so they could retain his services
Congrats to Michael on breaking into the NHL ranks, too bad Buffalo couldn’t see this & move him up so they could retain his services.
W