Faceoff.com
December 31, 2002
By ROBIN SHORT

Brad Leeb was hopeful of reaching the 20-goal mark for the first time in his professional career this season, but the St. John's Maple Leafs' left-winger certainly didn't anticipate nearing that milestone before the AHL season reached the half-way point.

Leeb is one of the few bright spots on the struggling Leafs (11-21-2-1), leading the team in scoring with 18 goals and 29 points through 34 games heading into a New Years Eve date with the Binghamton Senators in New York.

His 11 power play goals leads all AHLers this season.

Leeb's previous season-high goal total was 19, reached during the 1999-00 campaign while skating for the Syracuse Crunch, then the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate.

"One of the goals I set for myself in the off-season was to be around the 20-goal mark again," said Leeb, who found the back of the net 18 times in 2000-01 and 17 times last season. "But I didn't think it would happen this fast. I feel pretty fortunate."

The 23-year-old product of Red Deer, Alta., who enjoyed a four-year career with his hometown Rebels of the Western Hockey League, credits the fact that he's a little more mature and a lot wiser to his quick start, one that has him on target to surpass his career-high 32 goals established during his final year of junior.

Of course, it doesn't help that Leafs' coach Lou Crawford has afforded Leeb ample icetime, including employment on his No. 1 power play unit.

"Whether it's Josh Holden or Bob Wren, we complement each really well," Leeb said. "They're guys who like to be creative with the puck, who find open ice.

"Playing with good, smart players makes it easy for a guy like me who's a shooter. All I have to do is keep my stick on the ice," said Leeb, adding he also enjoyed playing with Harold Druken during the latter's two-week conditioning stint in St. John's. The two also played together in the Canucks' system.

Leeb was originally signed as a free agent by Vancouver following his junior career. He spent three seasons in the Canucks' organization, appearing in four NHL games, before getting dealt to Toronto during the off-season for defenceman Tomas Mojzis.

Toronto has dipped into its farm system for help at varying times this season, summoning Holden, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Paul Healey, who is still in Toronto and probably there to stay, for help.

Meanwhile, Leeb, still waiting for a shot with the parent Leafs, forges ahead as one of the AHL's best finishers.

"You never know what kind of player Toronto is asking for when they turn to us," Leeb said. "And Lou gives them whoever best fits that role.

"All you can do down here is try and get yourself in the best position for recall. Other than that, there's not much you can do. I know it's an old saying, but it's really out of your control. You can't beat yourself up over it."

Leeb's year is all the more impressive when you consider the personal tragedy he's had to endure. On the day he was traded to the Leafs - Sept. 4 - Leeb was at his mother's funeral.

Carol Leeb had lost a fight to breast cancer at age 49.

"I don't know if I set out to dedicate this season to her," he said, "but I know I've found a deeper sense of commitment and focus because of her.

"Knowing what she went through, and the focus and dedication she displayed, it's been inspiring."



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