PETERKA IMPROVING WITH EVERY GAME

Apr 15, 2022

By Suzie Cool

 

It’s no secret that many Buffalo Sabres fans were excited to watch the development of rookie JJ Peterka over the course of the 2021-22 campaign. However, do we think they knew they’d be in for quite the treat?

 

With the way that Peterka has emerged into his own, it’s apparent that his time with the Rochester Americans this year has been nothing but beneficial for his professional growth.

 

“JJ has just had such a great growth year. It’s been really fun to see and watch,” commented Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked about Peterka coming to form in the second half of the season. “His daily approach has gotten better, and he shows up with more intensity every day.”

 

After scoring just four times through the first three months of the season, Peterka has went on to notch 42 points in 40 games since the turn of the calendar year. Now, Peterka’s uptick on the scoresheet in the second half of the year has him leading all American Hockey League rookies with 62 points, tied for second with 38 assists and third in goals with 24 in 63 games this season.

 

Additionally, with Peterka’s 62 points, he has become the first Amerks rookie to reach the 60-point mark since forward Thomas Vanek has 68 points on 42 goals and 26 assists in 74 games during the 2004-05 season.

 

WATCH: ROCHESTER REPORT WITH JJ PETERKA

 

While Peterka came in as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in the Sabres organization, the coaching staff in Rochester has continued to challenge him daily.

 

“Just being better with my habits, especially like back-checking and playing in the O zone,” commented Peterka when asked how the coaching staff has continued to challenge him this year. “That was like the main part, but we practice a lot of offense, too, and I think that’s helped me a lot and keeps me going.”

 

Peterka even discussed how these little things away from the puck have allowed him to jump back on offense quicker, which is a large reason as to why his explosive, offensive skillset is beginning to shine through even more.

 

“If we get the puck back quicker, we can jump on offense quicker. That’s the good part of it.” Peterka then continued with, “As soon as I realized that the more it’s showed in my game.”

 

Appert feels as the season has progressed, he’s beginning to watch Peterka do more things with purpose and intent.

 

“I think as the season has gone on, he’s done things with more purpose and intent.”

 

Appert then finished with, “His habits are better, he’s back-checking more consistently, hunting the puck and stopping pucks more consistently. Therefore, he has the puck more and then his talent gets to shine.”

 

Coming into this week, Peterka is just one of five AHL rookies currently leading their respective team in scoring. Peterka’s 38 assists lead the Rochester roster, he’s recorded at least one shot in all but two games this season and the Amerks are 13-3-0-0 this year when Peterka registers a multi-point game, including 6-0-0-0 on home ice.

 

As the Amerks near the end of the 2021-22 regular season, Peterka admitted this is the most games he’s played in a single season. It was hard for the rookie to know what his body was capable of and to be ready to play almost every single day until he figured out that he needed to attack each practice and game with specific intent.

 

“You know, you need to show up. You got to get better, and you want to get better every day.”

 

Appert then added, “You don’t want to waste an opportunity to get better. Doesn’t mean you have to put in all this work effort if it’s a day that you’re more run down but whatever you’re putting in – if it’s a 30-minute practice, if it’s an hour and a half practice, if it’s the shooting room – you want to do it with purpose and intent.”

 

Because of how much Appert and staff have preached this kind of approach, Peterka has applied it to his mental game to be able to take on his first year in the pros in North America.

 

“We play a lot of games here, the most I’ve ever played in a single season. So, I kind of think through the stretch it was kind of hard for me to always be ready every day.”

 

Peterka then finished with, “When my body was more prepared for the games, I came in here and I wanted get better every day.”