St. John's Maple Leafs
November 8, 2002
By Timothy Hennie, Editor of The Blue and White Report

It was only the 3rd game of the season for St. John's, but it was already apparent that Brad Leeb was going to have a positive impact on the Baby-Leafs' season.

Up against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Leeb roared in on a 2-on-1 with linemate, Josh Holden.

"It was a good play the way it was set-up", says Leeb. "We both broke out and it was a pretty basic 2-on-1. I had the clear shott and I tried to get it on net and fortunately, it went in. It's pretty early in the season and I'm just trying to be consistent with my production, but things are going pretty well so far".

Leeb has lined up with Bob Wren and former Manitoba Moose teammate, Josh Holden, and they have been quite dangerous each and every game of this young AHL slate. He was dealt to the organization with the reputation as a highly-skilled forward and he has not disappointed. He is off to a great start with 6 goals in his first 12 games.

"Knowing Josh from last year helps, but our center-man is Bobby Wren and we have all meshed pretty well so far, probably because we all play a similar style. We all rely on our speed and skill to produce some offense", explains Leeb.

He came to the Leafs in a deal which transpired just before the start of training camp. They dealt defensive prospect, Tomas Mozjis for him and before he was sent to St. John's, he made a few positive waves with that speed and skill during Toronto's training camp.

"The trade was very much a surprise", says Leeb. "I was getting ready for training camp with Vancouver when the call came that I was coming to the Leafs. There were a couple of guys I had played with before and several I had played against, so it made for an easier transition. It's nice to have a fresh start and a clean slate to try to advance yourself in a new organization".

At 5-11, 180 pounds, Brad will not be an enforcer on the ice for St. John's, but he will be expected to fill some of the offensive roles held last year by AHL leading scorer, Donald MacLean and sniper, Bobby House.

"Well, I'm not the biggest guy out there, so I have to use my skill and ability to skate to be effective", he describes. "You have to be smart out there when you don't have overwhelming size".

He's now had 3 full years of professional hockey under his belt, mostly at the minor league level, but he has experienced that "NHL-thrill" as well.

"It was just a cup of coffee for a couple of games, but it was great to put on the Canucks' sweater", he recalls. "It's everything that you dream of, and it's nice to finally make it. But putting on that sweater isn't enough. You want to be there as a regular and make a career out of it. It's nice to see how close you are and it helps to know what you have to do to stay there. I use those 4 games as incentive to get back to the NHL for good".

Baby steps, indeed, but what will it take for a Brad Leeb to make that final breakthrough and stick in the NHL?

"It's going to take consistency in my game, both in effort and productivity, if I am to make it", he explains. So far, those baby-steps with the Baby-Leafs have things looking up for young Brad Leeb!



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