Matthew Peca Bio
Matthew Peca is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on April 27, 1993, in Petawawa, Ontario, Peca was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round, 201st overall, of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft. After a four-year collegiate career at Quinnipiac University, he made his NHL debut during the 2016–17 season and has since developed into a reliable two-way forward and AHL leader.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Peca was born and raised in Petawawa, Ontario, a small town known for producing dedicated hockey players thanks to its strong community rinks and youth programs. Growing up in this hockey-rich environment gave Peca his earliest exposure to the sport, where he developed the skating and playmaking skills that would later define his game. He comes from a supportive family that encouraged his athletic pursuits, though specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented.
Before reaching the collegiate level, Peca played junior hockey in Canada. He suited up for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League, a development league that has produced several NHL-caliber players. During his time with Pembroke, Peca helped the Lumber Kings capture the Royal Bank Cup, the national junior A championship. This early success established him as a winner and a playmaking center with hockey sense beyond his years.
Path to Hockey
Peca’s progression through the junior ranks drew the attention of several organizations. He was originally drafted by the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League priority draft, but his path took a different turn in the offseason before the 2011–12 season when he was claimed off waivers by the Kitchener Rangers. Rather than report to the Ontario Hockey League, Peca honored his commitment to attend Quinnipiac University and play NCAA Division I hockey, an unusual path for a late-round NHL draft pick.
At Quinnipiac, Peca joined the Bobcats men’s ice hockey team, which competes in ECAC Hockey. He made an immediate impact, earning a spot on the 2011–12 ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team. Over four seasons with the Bobcats, he matured into one of the conference’s top playmaking forwards. In his senior year, he was named co-captain and selected to the 2014–15 All-ECAC Hockey First Team, cementing his reputation as a smart, skilled center with leadership qualities.
Matthew Peca Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
After graduating from Quinnipiac University, Peca signed an amateur try-out with the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. His strong play during that stint convinced the Lightning to sign him to a two-year entry-level contract on April 1, 2015. Peca spent the 2015–16 and most of the 2016–17 seasons in the AHL, refining his game and working toward his first NHL opportunity.
On December 27, 2016, the Lightning announced that Peca would be called up to the NHL roster. He made his NHL debut the following night, December 28, in a 4–3 overtime win over the visiting Montreal Canadiens. He picked up his first NHL point with an assist on a goal by Alex Killorn on December 31, and on January 3, 2017, he scored his first NHL goal against Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, becoming the first Quinnipiac Bobcat ever to score a goal in the NHL.
Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens Era (2017–2020)
Following his successful debut, Peca signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 5, 2017. During the 2017–18 season, he was named to the 2018 AHL All-Star Game, recognizing his continued development as a top AHL talent. His time with the Lightning organization provided a solid foundation, even as he split time between Syracuse and Tampa Bay.
As a free agent, Peca signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1, 2018. He scored his first goal for Montreal on November 8, 2018, in a 6–5 overtime defeat against the Buffalo Sabres. In the 2019–20 season, he struggled to maintain an NHL role through training camp and was assigned to the Laval Rocket. He appeared in five scoreless games on recall with Montreal before being traded at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators on February 24, 2020, in exchange for Aaron Luchuk and a 2020 draft pick.
St. Louis Blues Era (2021–2023)
On July 29, 2021, Peca signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues as a free agent. He was assigned to the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, after clearing waivers at the start of the 2021–22 season. Peca was recalled on December 10, 2021, and played in five games with the Blues, registering one point before being returned to Springfield. On March 23, 2022, the Blues rewarded his steady play with a two-year contract extension.
Springfield Thunderbirds Era (2023–Present)
Peca attended the Blues’ 2023 training camp but did not make the roster, and he was placed on waivers on October 1, 2023. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to Springfield on October 2 to begin the 2023–24 season. On opening night, October 14, he was named captain of the Springfield Thunderbirds, a clear sign of his standing within the organization. He signed a two-year AHL contract extension with the Thunderbirds on March 14, 2024, committing his future to Springfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matt Peca is widely regarded as a cerebral, two-way forward whose hockey IQ separates him from many peers. He excels as a playmaking center with the vision and patience to set up linemates in the offensive zone, and he is equally committed on the defensive side of the puck. His ability to read the game at high speed makes him a reliable penalty killer and a trusted coach on the ice, qualities that have made him a natural captain at the AHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
On January 11, 2025, Peca scored his 158th point with the Thunderbirds, becoming the franchise’s all-time points leader in a 6–4 win over the Providence Bruins. He set new career highs with 31 goals and 63 points in 67 games during the 2024–25 season and was named to the AHL First All-Star Team for the first time, cementing his legacy as one of the most productive players in Springfield history.
Matthew Peca Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Matthew Peca has built a reputation as a steady contributor at both the NHL and AHL levels, with his most decorated years coming in the American Hockey League. His trophy case includes a Royal Bank Cup championship from his junior days and multiple AHL individual honors in recent seasons.
AHL Highlights
Peca’s most significant AHL accomplishments have come with the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he was named team captain before the 2023–24 season. He set new career highs in goals (31) and points (63) during the 2024–25 campaign and was selected to the AHL First All-Star Team for the first time. Earlier, he had been named to the 2018 AHL All-Star Game while in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, signaling his status as one of the league’s top playmakers.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Peca captured the Royal Bank Cup with the Pembroke Lumber Kings, a national junior A title that marked his first major championship. He has also earned All-ECAC Hockey recognition at Quinnipiac University, including First Team and All-Rookie honors, underscoring his consistent excellence at every level of the game.
Matthew Peca Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew Peca was born and raised in Petawawa, Ontario, where he grew up in a tight-knit community that values hockey and outdoor traditions. While specific details about his parents and any siblings are not widely publicized, his upbringing in a hockey-loving town played a central role in shaping his early development as a player.
Personal Life
Peca is known to keep his personal life private, and no confirmed public details about a spouse or children are available at this time. He has built much of his adult life around his hockey career, spending offseasons training and preparing for the next campaign.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked a career-defining year for Matthew Peca and the Springfield Thunderbirds. Serving as team captain, Peca set new personal bests with 31 goals and 63 points across 67 games, leading the Thunderbirds’ offense and earning selection to the AHL First All-Star Team for the first time in his career. His consistency and leadership helped anchor a Thunderbirds squad that leaned on his veteran presence night after night.
One of the defining moments of the season came on January 11, 2025, when Peca recorded his 158th point with Springfield, surpassing the franchise’s all-time points record in a 6–4 win over the Providence Bruins. That milestone reinforced his standing as the face of the Thunderbirds franchise and a model professional within the St. Louis Blues organization.
Looking ahead to the 2025–26 campaign, Peca remains under contract with the Thunderbirds following his March 2024 extension, and he is expected to continue in his leadership role. With a two-year AHL deal in place, Peca will look to build on his record-setting season and guide Springfield toward a deep Calder Cup Playoff run.