Pelech, a hard-shooting defenseman, joined the Sharks’ organization by signing a one-year contract with the club this past July. He’s quite physical on the blue line, as evidenced by his 198 penalty minutes in 59 games for AHL Abbotsford last season. But unfortunately, the former Flame has been marred by injuries, having dealt with blood clots and a knee ailment in recent years. Remember, he was a first-round pick in 2005, so Pelech will be keeping an eye on if he can finally put the injuries behind him.
Although he will have trouble cracking a deep Calgary blue-line corps, Pelech held his own in five games with the club last season, scoring three points and notching a plus-1 and nine penalty minutes. Pelech is a burly 6-5, 216-pound defenseman that could have a bright future, but it may take him a little while to produce fantasy-friendly numbers given the likelihood of a limited role.
Pelech just finished his first season in the AHL, scoring 12 points in 77 games. He still needs some polish, but should be up with the big-league club in a few years.
With all the players fighting for a spot on the Calgary blue line, Pelech will likely find himself continuing in the OHL, where he picked up 35 points in 58 games last season.
Pelech is still in juniors hockey and will be there for a year or two more to get some experience and playing time, as Calgary has no room on the blue line currently.
The big 6-ft 4-in., 220-lb. defenceman will return to play with the OHL's Sarnia Sting in 2005. Calgary's first overall selection in the 2005 entry draft, finished his first Flames prospect camp and needs further seasoning. Look for Pelech to have a legitimate shot a cracking the Flames lineup in 2007.
Pelech was skilled enough to play in the OHL as a sixteen-year-old but 2004-2005 saw his development stalled by a couple of broken jaws. His skating is average and can be improved, but he is sometimes knocked for his lack of hockey sense. We're not sure if that's really the case as he may have simply pressed too hard to prove himself after those injuries. He has a nice shot but is not projected to play in the NHL in an offensive role. Think steady, fourth or fifth defenseman.
