Michael Peca to join Peter Laviolette’s staff with Rangers as assistant coach

New Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette is turning to a familiar face to help him behind the bench on Broadway.

Michael Peca will join Laviolette’s staff, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek.

Peca had been an assistant coach for the Rochester Americans of the AHL for the past two seasons and worked as a players development coach with the Washington Capitals in 2021. 

The two now join forces with the Blueshirts 22 years after first working together as coach and player out on Long Island with the Islanders.

Laviolette got his first head coaching job with the Isles in 2001, which was the same year that they traded for Peca.  

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The two helped create a mini-renaissance for the Islanders, who would make their first playoff appearance since 1994 during the pair’s first season there. 

Peca played 14 NHL seasons with stops in Vancouver, Buffalo, Long Island, Edmonton, Toronto and Columbus.

He recorded 176 goals and 465 points during his time and won a gold medal for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics. 

Laviolette was hired by the Rangers last week after mutually parting ways with the Capitals in April.