The Buffalo Sabres; Cincinnati's National Hockey League affiliate, have assigned forward Matej Pekar to the Cyclones.
Pekar, 22, was a fourth round selection at the 2018 NHL Draft by Buffalo. The NHL contracted forward will join the Cyclones in Iowa to meet the team and be available for Cincinnati's weekend games against the Heartlanders on Saturday and Sunday.
"Our team is off to a great start this season, and inserting Matej into our lineup is only going to help," said Cyclones Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Jason Payne. "This is a young player with a bright future, and we're excited to have him join us in the next step of his development."
Matej Pekar
Position: Forward
Drafted: 2018, Round 4 (94th overall), Buffalo Sabres
Age: 22 (2/10/2000)
Born: Turnov, Czech Republic
HT: 6’1” | WT: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
- Began this season in Rochester, recording one assist in two games. Has played parts of three AHL seasons, accumulating four goals and 13 points across 74 games with the Americans.
- Signed a three-year entry level contract with Buffalo in October of 2018 after being drafted by the Sabres earlier that summer.
- Began pro career in his native country, playing for Bílí Tygrí Liberec in the Czech Republic during the 2020-21 season.
- Came over to North America during the 2020-21 campaign and made his AHL debut with Rochester on February 5 against Utica (five days before his 21st birthday).
- Played junior hockey in both the USHL and OHL. Was Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 with USHL-Muskegon, where he potted 14 goals and 54 points in 56 games.
- Spent most of his OHL run with Barrie Colts. Named Alternate Captain for the team's 2019-20 season.
