JJ Peterka
The 34th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Peterka has put on a clinic during his first full season in the AHL. He has also seen playing time with the Sabres in two games this season, giving him some NHL experience and a taste of big-time hockey. He didn’t record a point in those games, though his limited NHL experience would serve him well when he returned to Rochester.
He currently sits third on the team in points with 30, behind only the well-traveled Michael Mersch and former first-round pick, Jack Quinn, the latter of whom is currently on assignment with the Sabres. Peterka has more than impressed the Sabres during the first half of the AHL season and is gearing for an encore performance as the season nears its midpoint.
Peterka is leading the team in assists with 22, ranking second in the league among rookie skaters and ninth overall. His game only improved following his short stint in the NHL, and 10 points in the six games since returning to Rochester shows that the AHL game is slowing down. Look for Peterka to take a more prominent role with the Sabres as early as 2022-23.