Prospect Info: Matej Pekar, C (OHL) Barrie Colts - Drafted 2018 (94 OA) , not qualified, signed AHL deal with Hartford

[Gabrielor]

Holy moly. It keeps getting better with this kid. We're nearing the point where I'm calling him a guaranteed NHL player. Years away is still TBD, but that skill / pest package and speed is incredible in the 1st round, let alone the 4th.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Holy moly. It keeps getting better with this kid. We're nearing the point where I'm calling him a guaranteed NHL player. Years away is still TBD, but that skill / pest package and speed is incredible in the 1st round, let alone the 4th.

Also add in the bite that he has. I love his prospect profile.

 

[Gabrielor]

Here's another view of it, longer clip.

Did I mention it was shorthanded, and after a takeaway by him at the line?

 

[gallagt01]

Is his name actually pronounced the way it is in that clip? ("Peck-ahj")

 

[Derg12]

Is his name actually pronounced the way it is in that clip? ("Peck-ahj")

It would be if the r in Pekar had the ř .... sounds like 'zh'


Not sure if his last name has been Anglicized..

 

[dotcommunism]

It would be if the r in Pekar had the ř .... sounds like 'zh'


Not sure if his last name has been Anglicized..

Elite Prospects gives his name as Matěj Pekař

 

[Paxon]

Elite Prospects gives his name as Matěj Pekař

Yeah. He's Czech born and raised, so it's not likely his name's anglicized, other than the spelling used in North American hockey.

 

[Howie Hodge]

Didn't former Leafs defenceman Karl Pilar prounounce his last name Pea - losh?

Possible Pekar may be pronounced Pea - kosh...

Maybe one of our Czech friends can help us out here.

Anyhow, Matej still doing well, 11'th overall in OHL scoring:

11

C

12

Pekar, Matej

BAR

7

5

5

10

3

8

2

1

1

0

25

1

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[dotcommunism]

Yeah. He's Czech born and raised, so it's not likely his name's anglicized, other than the spelling used in North American hockey.

Yeah, it's really just dropping diacritics. Interestingly, there's been a movement lately in baseball, led by Latin players, to include diacritics in names. Something similar wouldn't exactly be out of place in hockey considering all of the Europeans, and French-Canadians.

 

[Aladyyn]

Is his name actually pronounced the way it is in that clip? ("Peck-ahj")

It's not. But non-native speakers are usually unable to pronounce ř without a lot of practice so it comes out weird. His name would be Pekaš based on the clip.

 

[Paxon]

Yeah, it's really just dropping diacritics. Interestingly, there's been a movement lately in baseball, led by Latin players, to include diacritics in names. Something similar wouldn't exactly be out of place in hockey considering all of the Europeans, and French-Canadians.

It's past due in NA sports.

 

[Team Cozens]

Pekar vs UPL tonight...

 

[Yultron]

Pekar vs UPL tonight...

Pekar with a goal, Not UPL’s night as he gives up 4 goals on 23 shots but so far it’s his only shaky start of the season

 

[1972]

The sports package I have on TV literally gets every single OHL game n HD now, I am gonna have to tune in.

 

[Howie Hodge]

26'th in OHL scoring, hope he can pick it up again...

26

C

12

Pekar, Matej

BAR

10

6

5

11

1

10

2

1

2

0

35

1

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Only 1 point in his last three.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

SABRES INK PEKAR TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (October 17, 2018) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Matej Pekar to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Buffalo selected Pekar (6’0”, 173 lbs., 2/2/2000) in the fourth round (94th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft in June. Through the first 10 games of his OHL career with the Barrie Colts, Pekar ranks second on the team with six goals and fourth among Colts players with 11 points.

Before joining Barrie, Pekar was named USHL Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 after he tied for the rookie league lead with 54 points (14+40) in 56 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. His 40 assists led his team and ranked fourth among all USHL players. A native of Turnov, Czech Republic, Pekar also represented his country twice last season, helping the Czechs finish second at both the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championship

 

[Gabrielor]

Good stuff. Love this pick.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

 

[Reddawg]

Kid has done absolutely nothing but impress at every stage since we picked him over the summer. Very happy to see him inked, looking forward to seeing him pull on the jersey one day soon.

 

[1972]

There’s no way he could have envisioned getting an NHL contract already, good for him!

 

[joshjull]

Good for him

 

[old kummelweck]

The timing is interesting on this one.

 

[SabreOil]

The timing is interesting on this one.

I thought the same thing. Has a 4th round or later pick ever been signed so quickly?

 

[Reddawg]

I thought the same thing. Has a 4th round or later pick ever been signed so quickly?

Victor Mete was a fairly similar situation.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

He certainly started on a roll, but why the rush to sign him?