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Bolts re-sign Peca after breakthrough campaign

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 28: Matthew Peca #63 of the Tampa Bay Lightning avoids a check from Torrey Mitchell #17 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Amalie Arena on December 28, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

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On Wednesday, Tampa Bay re-upped with one of its feel-good stories from last season.

Matthew Peca, the undersized forward and former seventh-round pick, has signed a one-year, two-way extension with the club worth $650,000 at the NHL level.

Peca, 24, had a really nice ’16-17 campaign, highlighted by his NHL debut, his first big-league goal and 10 games played for the Bolts all told. In addition to that, he also thrived at the American League level. Peca had 12 goals and 41 points in 68 games for Syracuse during the regular season, then another 14 in 22 playoff games as he helped the Crunch advance to the Calder Cup Final.

Peca’s taken the long road to get to this point. He spent four full years at Quinnipiac University before transitioning to the pro game, then spent another two-and-half years with Syracuse before getting the call from the Bolts.

At just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds Peca is undersized, but certainly in the right organization to thrive. Guys like Tyler Johnson (5-foot-8, 183), Cory Conacher (5-foot-8, 180), Yanni Gourde (5-foot-9, 172) and Brayden Point (5-foot-10, 166) have all found levels of success either with the big club, or the Crunch.