'I view him as a unicorn' | Peterka developed all-around game with Amerks

Michael Peca played 14 seasons in the NHL, often lining up against the top players in the league as one of its best defensive centermen.
He never saw anyone quite like JJ Peterka.
"I still view him as a unicorn," Peca said. "I can't find anybody I played with or against, even in today's game, that resembles the type of player he can become."

Peca, now an assistant on Seth Appert's coaching staff in Rochester, worked closely with Peterka during his first North American season in 2021-22. He watched the 20-year-old turn in an impressive training camp, then struggle to score out of the gate before developing into one of the best rookies in the AHL.
Peterka finished with 68 points (28+40) in 70 games during the regular season, earning a place on the AHL's All-Rookie team. He tied for the team lead with 12 points during a dynamic playoff run.
Now, he is attending his first pro development camp with his sights set on making the Buffalo roster in the fall alongside fellow standout Jack Quinn.
"It's a long summer still and we'll work out as hard as we can to make the roster," Peterka said.
Peterka threatened to make the Sabres roster as a teenager last September, impressing with his eye-catching speed and skill while scoring three goals in five preseason games.
The organization opted to practice patience with both Peterka and Quinn, sending them to Rochester with the mission of developing their all-around games. It was a challenge for Peterka, who had just four goals in 23 games before Christmas.
When the offense lacked, Peca and his fellow coaches showed Peterka film of all the ways he positively affected the game outside of the score sheet. Those examples became habits as the year progressed.
"He's incredibly fast, powerful, instinctual," Peca said. "He became one of our best penalty killers by the end of the season. I think at the start of the season, we never expected him to ever be able to kill penalties. But that's how far he grew in his understanding of how impactful he can be without the puck and without scoring."
Added Peterka: "I didn't know that either, that I would be a penalty killer at the end of the season."

Peterka did get a taste of the NHL, a two-game stint with the Sabres against the Islanders and Devils in late December. He tallied two shots while skating about 16 minutes in each contest.
The experience, while brief, offered an idea of how he needs to progress in order to make the jump.
"He has no idea how good he can be, which is scary," Peca said. "It's the blend of the power and speed and the skill set with his hands and his shot and his ability to play in a physical game. He can play in any environment, and he can dominate in any environment.
"It's just a matter of sticking with it and being patient early in his journey because it's going to be easy to get frustrated."

Kulich impressing with skill, work ethic

Peterka was asked to name a player who has stood out at development camp.
"Kulich has impressed me from the draft guys," Peterka said. "… I think how he works and battles and how quick he is coming out there. Great hockey sense. He's a really good player."
Watch the video below for more on how Jiri Kulich - who signed his entry-level contract alongside fellow 2022 first-round picks Matt Savoie and Noah Ostlund - has impressed through development camp.

How to stream the French Connection Tournament

Camp concludes Saturday with the 3-on-3 French Connection Tournament, which begins at 9:15 a.m. The tournament is a ticketed event for Season-Ticket Members with availability on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fans who are unable to attend can stream the event live here on Sabres.com, on the team's Twitter account (@BuffaloSabres), or on the team's Facebook page.
Dan Dunleavy, Brian Duff, and Martin Biron will have the call.
Click hereto view rosters for the tournament.