Leetch looking forward to SHL debut
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![]() ![]() "I'm excited. I really can't wait. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it's just incredible anticipation and I'm really looking forward to it" That was a quote from Los Angeles Panthers defenseman Matthew Leetch when asked about his feelings on his upcoming SHL debut. After spending three seasons in the SMJHL, Leetch will make his SHL debut with the Panthers in S33. He said that while an individual trophy and to be in the running for the Rookie of the Year Trophy would be nice, he doesn't expect it and just wants to help the team in any way he can. Leetch steadily progressed with his production as his SMJHL career moved along. In his first season, he managed only 10 points. In his second season, he had 30 and in his final season, he got 30 points, and in his final season he had 45 points. His first two seasons were with the Colorado Mammoths where Leetch thought he'd spend his entire SMJHL career, but Halifax offered him a job as Co-GM that he just couldn't turn down. He'll leave the SMJHL without ever technically winning a playoff series (with two round one losses as a Mammoth and a conference finals loss with Halifax (but the Raiders had a bye in round one). "I'm just hoping to come in, make a positive impact, and help the team win. That's my goal, to win. Team success is the most important thing to me, so I hope I can contribute to that" Leetch said his whole family plans to come see him play his first SHL game. He's excited not just for his first game, but for his future with the franchise as a whole. "There's a lot of talent on that team. A lot of really good players who mesh well and can play on both sides of the puck. We've got a great team and we're going to be successful soon. I know it" ![]() ![]() If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask ![]() Questions ![]() Why did you choose jersey #4? For SHL, I chose it because that's the number I wear when I play. In real life, I honestly can't remember why I chose it, but I wore number four in Mites and I've been wearing it ever since lol. Toughest team to play against in the SMJHL? Talent-wise it would definitely be Kelowna. They just have so much skill that you could be giving 100% and they'll still find a way to beat you. The physically toughest team I'd say would be Vancouver. They've got a few big guys on that team who aren't afraid to use the body. If you played in the celebrity game, who would you like to hit into the boards? I don't know I think Chris Pronger pretty much nailed it with his selection. ![]() At the moment, what is your greatest strength and greatest weakness as a player? I'd like to say that offense is a big part of my game, but defense is also a strength as well and I will continue to improve in that area. My weakness would definitely be my physicality. Got any point or goal targets for your rookie year? Like I said, not expecting too much in the way of personal success since it's my rookie season, but if I had to make a prediction, I'd guess something around my rookie SMJHL season, which wasn't too great, but not terrible. Living in Los Angeles, what is that like after spending so much time in Colorado and Halifax? As much as I loved those two places, I'm starting to get used to the warm weather, the sun, going to the beach on off days. It's great. I've only been in LA fro a couple of weeks but I'm loving it. If you would have to pick one LAP player to sit with you in a empty room for 5 hours, who would you pick? That's a tough one. There's a lot of cool guys on the team. 5 hours is a really long time though lol. Probably Bottas since I know him the best. Maybe Marino because we could talk about the Rangers the whole time ![]() ![]() Good luck, buddy. I'm sure you'll be great! I know this is more of a comment than a question, but I just wanted to say thanks. You're a big reason why I'm still here and have made it this far ![]() ![]() Congrats on getting called up to the Panthers! Thanks! As a defenseman with the last name Leetch, do you feel there is extra pressure for you to perform like the great Brian Leetch? Absolutely. I always feel the pressure to live up to my father and my last name. People almost expect me to be as good as my father, and that's a really tough thing to do. He was a fantastic player. I'm hoping to leave my own legacy. Who did Wasty give you a locker next to in the panthers locker room? It's likely I'll be paired with Victor Lindstrom, so he's been the one I'm sitting next to for the most part, and I sit on the end so there's only one person next to me. Any concerns for rookie hazing? We've heard Ruutu gets pretty into that sort of thing. Al the guys have been great so far. Very welcoming. We'll see when my first game comes, I'll make sure I don't do a warmup lap by myself, but it's been fun and the guys have been great about it. How did your time in the SMJHL prepare you for your debut in the SHL? I think it prepared me both mentally and physically. It's a huge leap from the USNTDP to the SMJHL and I felt it really helped me get into shape which will help me in the SHL. Mentally, it made me realize I have to work hard, harder than I've ever worked in my life if I want to be successful. ![]() "Hi Mr. Leetch, I'm Sam Dredger from Halifax Hockey Talk, just a few questions here. Q. Since you're graduating from the SMJHL to the SHL, what will you miss the most about the Raiders or Halifax in general? I'll miss a lot of my Raiders teammates. I was only here for one season, but I felt like I got to know everyone relatively quickly and I like everyone on the team, so it'll be tough leaving. Q. What are you the most excited about doing in the SHL? I'm just hoping to help my team as much as possible. Just excited to play and get a chance to prove myself at the SHL level. Q. We know that you and former Raiders GM Vateri Bottas were fairly close before. Are you excited to play underneath his leadership once again in Los Angeles? Absolutely. Bottas is a close friend of mine and I fully trust and believe in him and his leadership, so I look forward to playing under him in LA. Wasty definitely made the right choice in who he hired. Q. What impact do you plan on bringing to the SHL? Are you going to be a chirper? Scorer? Hitter? Well, I'm not good at chirping, and checking is my weakness. My plan, or my goal at least, is to be a two way defenseman with a little offensive flare. Q. Of all of the SMJHL players you've played with in both the past and present, who are you looking forward to playing against the most and why? I'd probably say my buddy, and now Co-GM, Toivo Kosonen. We have very similar styles of play, so I think it'll be interesting to compare us. A little friendly competition is never a bad thing, although I'm sure he'll always be a bit better than me lol. Thank you Mr. Leetch! Good luck in LA!" Thanks to everyone who asked questions! Code: 1,323 words. Ready for grading. ![]() Registered S33 Challenge Cup Champion
Why did you choose jersey #4?
Toughest team to play against in the SMJHL? If you played in the celebrity game, who would you like to hit into the boards?
Reed Kobo - Winger - #33
Player Page- Update Page Elijah Jones - Winger - #33 Retired Player Page - Update Page Toivo Kosonen - Defenseman - #33 Retired Player Page - Update Page ![]() ![]() ![]() Registered S45 Challenge Cup Champion
At the moment, what is your greatest strength and greatest weakness as a player?
Got any point or goal targets for your rookie year? Living in Los Angeles, what is that like after spending so much time in Colorado and Halifax? If you would have to pick one LAP player to sit with you in a empty room for 5 hours, who would you pick? ![]() Registered Like... a bowl of rice.
Good luck, buddy. I'm sure you'll be great!
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Please take care of it. Here are some helpful links just in case. Algonquin College Student Support Services - 613-727-4723 Crisis Text Line - Text 'HOME' to 741741 Distress Centre Ottawa and Region - 613-288-3311 Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454 Kid's Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 Mental Health Hotline Ontario - 1-866-531-2600 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 Click here for a list of crisis centres within Canada Suicide Prevention Resource Centre Suicide Awareness Voices of Education If you have the contact info to your local mental help centres, let me know! -------------------- ![]() Registered Posting Freak ![]() Registered S27, S29, S32, S40, S42 Challenge Cup Champion & Parm King
Congrats on getting called up to the Panthers!
As a defenseman with the last name Leetch, do you feel there is extra pressure for you to perform like the great Brian Leetch? Who did Wasty give you a locker next to in the panthers locker room? Any concerns for rookie hazing? We've heard Ruutu gets pretty into that sort of thing. How did your time in the SMJHL prepare you for your debut in the SHL? ---> ParmBorg Highlights <---
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() #1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer - First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History - - First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History - - Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History - - First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups - Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34 Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Team Germany Posting Freak
"Hi Mr. Leetch, I'm Sam Dredger from Halifax Hockey Talk, just a few questions here.
Q. Since you're graduating from the SMJHL to the SHL, what will you miss the most about the Raiders or Halifax in general? Q. What are you the most excited about doing in the SHL? Q. We know that you and former Raiders GM Vateri Bottas were fairly close before. Are you excited to play underneath his leadership once again in Los Angeles? Q. What impact do you plan on bringing to the SHL? Are you going to be a chirper? Scorer? Hitter? Q. Of all of the SMJHL players you've played with in both the past and present, who are you looking forward to playing against the most and why? Thank you Mr. Leetch! Good luck in LA!" ![]() Registered Posting Freak |
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