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MuNk22 · 11-20-2024, 05:36 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Leonard Wood came out swinging from a South Philly basement. That's where the Philadelphia Forge training facility is located, shut off from the rest of the city. Wood spent countless hours there in the gym, getting stronger. He stayed late into the night viewing tape on his opponents, just trying to get that extra edge. His work ethic was tireless and he feared even that wasn't enough.

But in just his third season as a professional hockey player, he's headed to the Challenge Cup Finals.

“Honestly, I didn't expect to make it here so quickly,” Wood spoke at Finals Media Day. “I've been to the playoffs every year since turning pro. And even before that, I was no stranger to the playoffs. But I know not to take that for granted. The organization in Philadelphia has been great. They work so hard on putting all of the pieces together for us to go out and compete. Now, we just have to get over that last hump.”

Wood has had that hardworking attitude since his days in the junior league. A chip was placed on his shoulder when he was selected in the fourth round in the SMJHL draft. He worked hard to prove everyone wrong as he fought his way to a Four Star Cup. That fight and dedication to his team raised his draft stock to where he was selected in the first round of the S74 SHL Entry Draft in a historically stacked draft class.

That chip on his shoulder became permanent as he entered the SHL. He views every season, every game as brand new like he has everything to prove. His one and only goal is to raise the Challenge Cup.

The road hasn't been easy for Leonard Wood and his team. In the first round, the underdog Manhattan Rage took the Forge to seven games. Wood assisted on Barg Hazbite's game winning goal in game seven that sent Philadelphia onto round two.

Next they defeated the Tampa Bay Barracuda in five games. Tampa Bay was in the Challenge Cup Finals just last season in S78.

In the conference finals, Philadelphia faced a familiar foe in the Atlanta Inferno. Atlanta knocked Philadelphia out of the playoffs in the first round last season. But this season, they battled in a closely contested match-up until Philadelphia won in six games.

Now Wood has the toughest games of his career ahead of him. He's in the Challenge Cup Finals going up against a tough and experienced San Francisco Pride. His talents will be on display for the entire globe, where he has to tune out being under this immense spotlight for the first time. On top of those jitters, he has to play the best hockey he's able to play.

“I'm just one hundred percent locked in, right now. My mind is focused on whatever it takes to win,” Wood told the room full of reporters.

His media day press conference ended on the future. Reporters picked Wood's brain on the unknown, where his focus would be on whether Philadelphia won or lost in the finals.

Asked on his plans after the finals, Wood offered, “I don't know. Probably take the Cup back home to Madison if I were to win it. But either way, I'm looking forward to getting some rest and healing up after the season. I spent a whole year in airports, and the floor feels like home. So actually going home and sleeping in my own bed sounds amazing.”

But many reporters were left wondering if Leonard would be joining Team USA in the IIHF after this incredible playoff run. Certainly this deep playoff run provides him a good shot at being chosen to play for Team USA.

“I'd love to play for my country but I'd have to be selected first,” Wood replied. “I haven't the first two seasons as a pro but I understand that USA Hockey has a deep pool of players to choose from. I'll be rooting for them either way. But I want to stress that I'm not even thinking about that right now. My focus right now is on winning this Challenge Cup.”

Game one of the Challenge Cup Finals is right around the corner. It's the Philadelphia Forge versus the San Francisco Pride. But it might as well be the Philadelphia Forge versus the world because that's how Wood and his teammates see it. It's been ten seasons since their last Challenge Cup victory in S69 and Philadelphia is out to prove that they're the best in the world once again in S79.

“Regardless if we win or not, Philadelphia isn't going anywhere. We're still going to be a thorn in other teams sides. We're still going to be in the mix,” Wood said. Asked on his personal progression as a player, he commented, “I don't think I've reached ceiling yet as a player. I've still got a ways to go in improving my game and being the best version of myself. And if I'm being honest, I'm getting there.”

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