When the Buffalo Sabres selected USHL standout Matej Pekar with their fourth round pick (94th overall) in June’s draft, it seemed that his path was set to eventually play in the NCAA at Miami University (Ohio). Pekar was likely going to play another season in the USHL before heading to college, but there was a clear route laid out for his development. Now, in a turn of events, Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald is reporting that Pekar will play in the OHL this season instead of the USHL. Pekar’s rights in the Canadian junior ranks are owned by the Barrie Colts after they selected him 108th overall in the most recent CHL Import Draft.
Pekar, 18, was named USHL Rookie of the Year last season after scoring 54 points in 56 games and was a key player for the Czech Republic at both the U18 World Juniors and Ivan Hlinka (now Hlinka-Gretzky) tournament. The shifty forward actually plays much bigger than he is and can fit into several different roles including agitator and top line playmaker. He was ranked as the 55th best North American skater by Central Scouting prior to the draft, but other services had him going ahead of his eventual selection. The Sabres looked like they were going to have to wait to try and sign him until after he felt he was finished with college, but now might have him right under their nose in the OHL.
Barrie of course is losing import forward Andrei Svechnikov to the NHL after being selected second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, and have room for another import on the roster. If Pekar does end up there, he would be a huge addition to a group that already has quite a bit of talent and should compete for the OHL playoffs once again. Pekar will also take part in the Sabres upcoming Prospects Challenge, alongside other talent like Casey Mittelstadt, Brendan Guhle and Alexander Nylander.