Winnipeg Sun
Friday, October 19, 2001
KEN WIEBE -- Winnipeg Sun

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. -- It took him a little while to be convinced but when it came to junior hockey, home is where the heart was for Brad Leeb.

Initially, Leeb -- a talented right-winger with the Manitoba Moose -- was hoping to move away from his home town of Red Deer to play junior, but after watching the way the city rallied around the team he quickly changed his tune.

"At the beginning it was a little disappointing, but you grew into it and realized how much of a thrill it is to play in front of your family and friends all the time," said Leeb, who played four seasons with the Rebels, recording 73 goals and 169 points. "I loved it and I wouldn't change it."

Another thing he wouldn't change is having the chance to suit up for Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship in Winnipeg back in 1999.

He might want to change the result of the gold medal game with Russia, where his new linemate Artem Chubarov scored the winning goal in overtime, but the experience is something he'll never forget.

"A lot of people say how nice it is to go off to Sweden or Russia, but I think it was more of a thrill to play in Canada," said Leeb, who played on a line with Dallas Stars left-winger Brenden Morrow and Philadelphia Flyers centre Simon Gagne.

"Winnipeg did a great job and you have the whole country behind. It was a thrill to play in front of sold-out crowds every night."

OBVIOUS DIVIDENDS

The tournament also paid obvious dividends for his career

"It's good to go into a tournament like that and use it as a measuring stick," said Leeb, who was signed by the Vancouver Canucks in October of 1999 and is entering his third season in the system. "You just learn about intensity and about what it takes to win."

Leeb's intensity and willingness to get in the trenches has earned him a promotion to the top line, but he's trying to work on his consistency, no matter what line he's on.

The line of Steve Kariya -- who was recalled by the Canucks on Wednesday -- Chubarov and Ryan Ready had been clicking well through the first four games with four goals and 11 assists collectively, but Leeb brings an added element to the new combination.

"No, he's not the (same playmaker) but he has good acceleration and can jump into the holes," said Moose head coach Stan Smyl. "He likes going into the corners and battle a little bit more and he drives to the net."

The drive comes partly from his older brother Greg, a speedy forward with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who has also carved out a solid professional career for himself despite not being drafted.

"My biggest influence is probably my brother, he's always had to work for what he gets. He's a good role model," said Leeb, who only played on the same team as his brother in baseball.



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