Nick Petrecki
| Birthday: 1989-11-07 | Position: D |
| Eligible for draft: 2007 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: 2007 | Height: 6-3 |
| Acquired: 1st round (28th overall), 2007 | Weight: 230 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- B
History
2004-05: Petrecki played 53 games for the Capital District Selects of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. In those 53 games, Petrecki recorded 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) and 159 PIM. His size and strength impressed many who watched him play.
2005-06: In his first season with the Lancers, Petrecki made his presence known by playing a very strong physical game. Petrecki, who stands at 6’3 and 213 LBS, did not hesitate to throw his body around. In 53 games, Petrecki only recorded three points (three assists), but he spent 110 minutes in the penalty box. He also played in five playoff games for the Lancers, but he failed to show up on the score sheet.
2006-07: In 28 games played, Petrecki has 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 104 PIM. He was named to the 2007 Western Division All-Star roster for the USHL Prospects/All-Star game. He participated in the skills competition where he recorded the second hardest shot in the event.
2007-08: In his freshman season with Boston College (Hockey East), Petrecki played in 42 games, including 25 Hockey East contests. He gained All-Tournament honors at the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass. He earned All-Tournament recognition at the Dodge Holiday Classic in St. Paul, Minn. He registered 12 points on the season.
2008-09: Petrecki returned to Boston College(H-East) for the 2008-2009 season, posting 7 assists but going goal-less in 35 games for the Eagles. The rugged defender did manage 161 penalty minutes, a career high during his time in the NCAA.
2009-10: In his rookie pro season, Petrecki posted 2 goal, 12 assists, and 106 PIM in 65 AHL games.
2010-11: Petrecki skated in 67 of 80 games for the AHL's Worcester Sharks in his second pro season. Bothered by a nagging hip condition that required off-season attention, Petrecki scored 3 goals with 11 assists and was -17 with a team-high 129 PMs. Worcester finished three points out of an AHL playoff spot.
2011-12: Petrecki had a difficult third season in the AHL with Worcester where struggled to bring a better overall defensive game. The big defenseman finished the year having scored just one goal along with eight assists and a poor minus five rating while taking 107 PIMs (three fighting majors) in 68 AHL games.
Talent Analysis
Petrecki has NHL size, can play mean and with physicality, skates well, moves the puck well and has a heavy hard shot from the point but just isn't shooting the puck enough. There is a lot big defenseman in the Sharks organization so the big, shutdown defender needs to bring more offense, make smarter plays with the puck and learn when to back off with his physicality and stay in proper position while letting the hits come to him.
Future
Time is running out for the physical blueliner and he needs to show the Sharks organization that he's capable of being a solid shutdown defender with some offensive upside. Petrecki will most likely be playing his fourth year in the AHL with Worchester for the upcoming season.
