Pecker expected to increase Steelers’ potency

The 31-year-old Canadian has spent the last five seasons playing in Switzerland, prior to which he notched up 311 appearances in North America’s second tier where he scored 142 points, including 60 goals. Steelers’ head coach Ryan Finnerty said it was a case of ‘third time lucky’ after finally landing Pecker.

“I tried to sign him last summer and then again at Christmas,” said Finnerty, who is expected to announce another signing – thought to be a defenceman – on Thursday.

“Cory will make those players who play with him better, he will make the team as a whole better.”

Pecker was a sixth round NHL draft pick for the Calgary Flames, but having failed to break through into the world’s top league, he then went on to have a distinguished career in the American Hockey League.

He first moved to Switzerland in 2007, since when he has amassed 129 goals and 316 points in just 174 games.

“He is just the kind of player we needed to bring in to help take some of the workload off Jeff Legue,” added Finnerty, in reference to his talismanic centre, who led the Steelers’ offensive threat in the 2011-12 campaign with 93 points, including 39 goals, in 64 games.

“As a team we knew that we had to create more and score more and also that we couldn’t rely on Jeff to put up the big numbers. It’s why we signed Colin Shields and its why we signed Cory, who has always scored well but always contributed in other ways as well. He scores and he creates. He brings others into the game.”

After finally being signed by Finnerty, Pecker admitted he was ready for a different challenge after a successful stint in Europe.

“I felt this was the right time for a change and a new challenge,” he said. “Sheffield seems the perfect place for me and, having signed, I feel I’m coming to the team at just the right time.”

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