Pecker signs for Steelers

"The Wait was worthwhile" said Steelers head coach Ryan Finnerty following confirmation that Cory Pecker will be joining the club in September

"This is the guy we tried to sign last summer and then again at Christmas, he is an offensive forward that will score and excite and he is just the kind of player we needed to bring in to help take some of the workload off Jeff Legue"

Pecker, a 6th Round NHL pick of the Calgary Flamers has recently been playing in Switzerland where in just 174 games he scored 129 goals and 316 points. Prior to that Pecker had notched up 60 goals and 142 points in 311 American league games

"The Steelers need to be more offensive and more exciting, Cory Pecker helps us on both accounts. As a team we knew that we had to create more and score more and also that we couldn't rely on Jeff Legue to put up big numbers. It's why we signed Colin Shields and its why we signed Cory Pecker. Cory has always scored well but always contributed in other ways as well. He scores and he creates. He brings others into the game. We will find the right players to get the best out of him

"Cory will make those players who play with him better, he will make the team better. His experience as well as his ability is a perfect fit for what we are trying to deliver here. He knows about the Steelers, he has done his homework on us as we have about him

"The resume is outstanding but its only when you speak to people who know him, have seen him play and know what kind of player he will be here do you really appreciate what we have. I think its the biggest signing we could have made right now. I know there will be others that follow. I will be honest when I first spoke with him I didn't think we could sign him but as he became more excited about us I became determined to find a way to deliver him to Sheffield"

Pecker who will arrive in Sheffield after playing 5 seasons in Switzerland felt this was the right time to make the move "I have had 5 great years over there and felt this was the right time for a change and a new challenge. I had spoken with several coaches and clubs last year and this. Sheffield seems the perfect place for me and having signed I feel I'm coming to the team at just the right time

"I feel I am a good all around player, sure I put up good numbers and of course I like to score goals but I also contribute elsewhere. Special teams are important and in the past I have played both power-play and penalty kill. I am sure it will take a little time to adjust to the British game but Im looking forward to it and can't wait to get going"