Quinnipiac Alumni Report | NHL | Sept. 20–26, 2026
Two Bobcats made noise in the NHL this week — one fighting for a roster spot, one fighting Brady Tkachuk.
Peca's PTO: A Name the Sabres Know Well
Matthew Peca is betting on himself in Buffalo. The former Quinnipiac center signed a professional tryout contract with the Sabres, keeping his NHL aspirations alive as training camp gets underway. The PTO puts Peca in direct competition for a roster spot with no guarantees — just an opportunity to outperform expectations in one of the sport's most scrutinized tryout periods.
There's an odd footnote to the story: this isn't the first time a Peca has skated for Buffalo. Michael Peca — a 27-goal scorer and gold medalist who once wore the Sabres sweater — shares the surname but not the family tree. The two are unrelated, a coincidence that's earned Matthew a few double-takes in the organization's hallways. For Matthew, though, the only comparison that matters is the one coaches make after watching him practice.
Quinnipiac has developed a steady pipeline to the NHL, and Peca's PTO is a reminder that the path isn't always a straight line. Whether he sticks in Buffalo or moves on, the audition itself signals that NHL front offices still see something worth evaluating.
Legault Drops the Gloves with Tkachuk
Across the league, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Charles-Alexis Legault found himself on the wrong end of a milestone moment — at least from a Panthers perspective. Florida's Brady Tkachuk completed a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Hurricanes, with the fighting portion of that trifecta coming courtesy of a bout with Legault. The Gordie Howe hat trick — a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game — is one of hockey's rarer individual achievements, and Legault's willingness to answer the call reflects the physicality he's brought to Carolina's blue line.
It was a tough night for the Hurricanes, but Legault's role in the game underscores his value as a defender willing to protect his teammates when the temperature rises.
The Broader Bobcat Footprint
Beyond Peca and Legault, Quinnipiac's NHL presence remains one of the more impressive among mid-major programs. Devon Toews anchors Colorado's blue line, Connor Clifton logs minutes in Boston, and Yaniv Perets pushes for playing time in Philadelphia. The Bobcats' footprint across the league — 11 alumni on NHL rosters — reflects a program that has quietly become a legitimate pro hockey feeder.
This week, though, the spotlight belongs to Peca. A PTO is a last audition, not a consolation prize — and in Buffalo, he's got a chance to make the name mean something new.
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