Leafs Sign Hometown Star Michael Peca

The Leafs have spent most of the summer’s free agent shopping season searching for help on defence, but on Tuesday they added a little support up front, signing veteran centre Michael Peca.

The 32-year-old Toronto native spent last year with the Edmonton Oilers, but decided once he hit free agency that his desire to play for the Leafs warranted taking a pay cut. He agreed to a one-year deal with Toronto worth $2.5 million U.S.

“Obviously being a Toronto kid goes without saying how big this is, but it goes deeper than that,” said Peca.

“My willingness to play in Toronto goes beyond being from Toronto, it’s recognizing an organization that prides itself on wanting to win, and really taking every step necessary where they see fit to try to provide that for the fans.”

The 11-year veteran earned $3.99 million last season in Edmonton, and rebounded with a strong second half and playoff after a slow start to the regular season. He finished with nine goals and 14 assists in 71 games.

“What we’re adding now is some real solid two-way player, and guy that’s really going to help us be a harder team to play against, and I think that’s the bottom line for us,” said Leafs GM John Ferguson.

“We’re going to be younger, quicker, and play a more up-tempo style.”

Peca’s definitely been around, recording 394 career points in 693 regular-season games with Vancouver, Buffalo, Edmonton and the Islanders.

A junior star with the Ottawa 67’s, Peca was also a member of Canada’s 2002 Olympic champion team in Salt Lake City an is a two-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defensive forward.

Anchoring the second line behind Captain Mats Sundin, one of the more interesting storylines to follow will be Peca’s relationship with fellow forward Darcy Tucker.

The pair has a history dating back to a vicious hit from Tucker during a Leafs/Islanders playoff game that forced Peca to undergo knee surgery.

Some background information on the newest Leaf:

• Born March 26, 1974 in Toronto, Canada.
• Peca is listed at 5’1″, and 185 pounds and shoots right.
• Drafted in the second round, 40 ^th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1992 NHL entry draft.
• In addition to his time with the Ottawa 67s, he also spent time in the minors with the Syracuse Crunch and Sudbury Wolves.
• Sat out the 2000-01 season while with the Buffalo Sabres over a contract dispute. Was later traded to the New York Islanders for Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt.
• Was a team captain with both the Sabres and Islanders.