Observations:

June 2012 – Leach was not signed to an Entry-Level Contract and will now be eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft. (Zenon Herasymiuk)

January 2012 – Leach is a big, strong, defenseman that has thrived in his increased role this year with the Kootenay Ice. Through the month of January he has totaled 8 goals and 22 assists for 30 points, which matches his output from last season. He is also a +23, and is among the Kootenay Ice’s all-time leaders in that category. Look for his ice-time to increase for the defending champs, who are pretty thin on the blue line.

Fantasy Outlook: D

Leach is producing while playing big minutes in junior, but don’t expect his scoring totals to translate very well at the NHL level.  Expect him to land a roster spot on the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) next year.

Footage:

Leach drops the mitts:

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Fantasy Prospects Report Notes (Any FPR’s released in the last 18 months will not be listed here):

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Joey Leach statistics courtesy of Elite Hockey Prospects