Under Jeff Blashill, a new era has emerged with Michael Peca's appointment as assistant coach of the Chicago Blackhawks
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A player who has been known for his defensive style and a coach who has developed in a gentle stead, Peca's experience could have provided the structure and veteran presence the rebuilding Blackhawks team so dearly needs.
Bringing strategic depth to Jeff Blashill's staff
During his playing days, Michael Peca was widely respected as an elite two-way player. Since retiring in 2009, he has slowly made a name for himself in coaching. Considered a native of Toronto, Peca changed his post-playing career from playing to coaching by first serving as a Junior-level coach for the Buffalo Jr.
Sabres. He took a direct interest in player development, which encouraged him to move to the Washington Capitals as a player development coach.
He developed his reputation further at the Rochester Americans, AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, where his leadership skills and development work with young players were highly praised. Most recently, Peca was promoted to a bigger NHL assistant coaching role with the New York Rangers under Peter Laviolette.
However, despite leading the Rangers to a playoff appearance, the entire coaching staff, including Peca, was let go at season's end.
Currently aged 51, Peca is setting off on his newest sojourn with the Chicago Blackhawks, in a franchise undergoing much transformation. Peca's appointment almost directly followed on the heels of Jeff Blashill's appointment as the weekend coach. Now also 51, Blashill has not wasted time shaping his coaching staff, and in quick succession, committed to Jimmy Waite as goaltending coach, kept Anders Sorensen's title from his interim period, and signed Peca for some added experience and structure on the bench.
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Balancing Peca's approach in managing seasoned players with young talent will be essential during the Blackhawks' rebuilding phase with prospects such as Connor Bedard. In terms of tactics, Peca would emphasize defensive discipline, his trademark during his playing days, where he won two Selke Trophies complementary style to Blashill's efforts on system coaching. Together, this pair hopes to create a more unified and competitive Athletic Chicago brand that can then offer the viability for long-term success.
Also Read: Jeff Blashill returns as Blackhawks head coach to lead NHL rebuild
Michael Peca's arrival on the Chicago Blackhawks bench is much more than another coaching shuffle; instead, it is a culture change. A coach possessing NHL and developmental experience is the type of coach Jeff Blashill is bringing in to hopefully inaugurate a new era. Peca may very well be the dust-off the Blackhawks need to help them push on their way back to relevance in the NHL.
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