Overage forward happy to be finishing his OHL career in red and white

Knowing he’s going to finish his Ontario Hockey League career as a member of the Soo Greyhounds, Jaden Peca has no complaints.

Acquired by the team prior to the deadline last season, the veteran forward proved to be a versatile player with the team.

“When we made the deal for Jaden, we were looking to add a little bit of the tenaciousness that he brings in his game,” said Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis. “He’s got good skill and good speed. He’s tough to play against and he’s been a great player for us in all situations.”

Raftis went on to say how impressed he’s been with Peca’s approach off the ice as well.

“You know players a little bit, but you don’t really know them until you’re really with them,” Raftis said. “Just off the ice, what a great example he’s been for everybody and the work he puts in.”

Happy to be finishing his OHL career with the team, Peca says the fit with the Greyhounds has been a good one in the year it’s been since he joined the team.

“I think it fits in well because of my speed and creativity,” Peca said. “The Soo Greyhounds are always a team that’s a puck possession team and I think I fit right into that.”

The veteran said there was an adjustment on the ice when he was traded to the Greyhounds last season because of different styles between the two clubs, but he was able to embrace his new opportunity.

“In Barrie, we were more of a dump and chase team,” Peca said.

“Here we sort of prohibit the dump and chase,” the 20-year-old joked. “That was a little bit of a change but other than that, everything has been going great.”

It isn’t just his skill that has earned Peca the praises of his coaches though.

“He cares so much about his teammates and he brings an energy level and a compete level that really illustrates that,” said Greyhounds coach John Dean. “That really endears himself to the Sault faithful, the coaching staff, but most importantly, his teammates.”

“He shows what it means to care about the guy beside you and what it means to wear the logo,” Dean added. “Those intangibles are irreplaceable.”

Dean called the overage forward “a lot of fun to coach.”

“He’s a high energy guy,” Dean said. “He sticks up for his teammates and has an underrated skill set.”

Peca’s offensive numbers have been solid with the Greyhounds and, for Dean, a number of factors play into it.

“His goals come a lot off his competitive level, his net drive, his net-front presence and he’s got pretty good hands in tight,” Dean said, adding that Peca “has the skill to make a sneaky play.”

“His opponents have to respect that he might try to beat you with speed, or he might try to slip a pass on an offensive play,” Dean added. “The fact that you’re not sure what’s coming from Jaden is a real positive thing.”

In addition, Dean spoke of Peca’s willingness to be an example for the Greyhounds younger players off the ice.

“When we’re doing video and I’m doing positive review and I’m teaching one of the younger players what the expectation is in terms of competitive level and how to stick up for a teammate the right way without taking it to a level where you cost your team, he just sets those examples every day,” Dean said. “It makes it really easy to coach the other guys when your 20-year-old is doing things the right way, it makes it easier to hold the other guys accountable.”