Welcome to the Bench: Brendan Leipsic

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Thomas Waind Leave a comment

Born: 5/19/1994 (21 years old) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Drafted: 3rd round (89th overall) in 2012 by Nashville Predators
Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (2016)
Position: Center
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: Left
HockeyDB profile

The Trade
February 15, 2015 traded from Nashville Predators with Olli Jokinen and round 1 pick in the 2015 draft (Travis Konecny) to Toronto Maple Leafs for Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson.

The Call-Up
February 13, 2016 the Leafs call-up Brendan Leipsic and Jeremy Morin from the Toronto Marlies.

What he brings to the team

There's no better feeling than making mom and dad proud. Congrats to Brendan Leipsic on his first career goal!https://t.co/1fVcTqxm9O

— NHL (@NHL) February 14, 2016

It only took one game for Leipsic to net his first NHL goal and boy was it a beauty! Last night he was skating on the Leafs’ fourth line with a couple of Marlies teammates, Richard Clune and Byron Froese. I didn’t watch the game because I would much rather watch the best dunk contest of all time, than watch the Leafs dress an AHL lineup. Although I do wish I could have seen Leipsic’s goal live.

While he’s only 5 foot 9 inches, Leipsic makes up for it with his fast feet and slick hands. He plays with a bit of bite to his game and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Darcy Tucker and Brendan Gallagher. His former coach with the Portland Winter Hawks (and fired Pittsburgh Penguins coach) Mike Johnston described Leipsic as “an energy guy… When he’s emotionally and physically engaged in the game, he sets the bar for the rest of the guys.” That’ll play. His ceiling is as a supporting player in a top six role, but don’t be disappointed if he’s an energy third-liner.

Teemu “Finnish Flash” Selanne seemed to be watching last night’s game closely

Me And Brendan Leipsic eating pasta before My NHL game, tonight He is playing his First NHL game as a Maple Leaf👏👍 pic.twitter.com/ItDS3mvsVC

— Teemu Selanne (@TeemuSel8nne) February 13, 2016

Brendan scored!!!!! Now you know why the ketchup bottle was on the table…👊👍…it really works!!!

— Teemu Selanne (@TeemuSel8nne) February 14, 2016

Why he’s on the Bench
With guys like Tucker, Gallagher and Marchand, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. It’s tough for such small guys to play such a physical style. It wasn’t that long ago when Brian Burke was making similar comparisons to 2010 second rounder and fellow Portland Winter Hawks alumni Brad Ross. After the Leafs swapped Ross for Marincin in this past off season, he left North America to chase his dreams with the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL.

Hopefully Leipsic fairs much better.