COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets activated center Michael Peca off injured reserve on Wednesday, clearing the way for him to make his debut with the club.

He was expected to play when the Blue Jackets host the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night.

Peca, signed by Columbus as a free agent on Aug. 23, has been out with a groin strain. Last season, he had four goals and 11 assists in 35 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He missed most of the season with a broken leg.

Peca figures to anchor the Blue Jackets' third line, centering Gilbert Brule and Dan Fritsche.

The Toronto native has 164 goals and 245 assists in 728 NHL games. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward twice, in 1997 with the Buffalo Sabres and 2002 with the New York Islanders.