Crease
Chief Justice of the HFNYR Court
- Jul 12, 2004
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A Sports Illustrated article titled Big D for the USA, dated January 27, 1988, spotlights Boston College phenom Brian Leetch as Team USA prepares for the Calgary games.
Team USA ended up having a disappointing showing and the Rangers quickly signed Leetch to a professional contract. He scored 14 points in 17 games for the Rangers in an abbreviated campaign, then beat out Team USA and Rangers teammate Tony Granato the following year for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. I have Leetch as the 3rd best American-born American-trained players of all-time, behind Chris Chelios and Frank Brimsek. Top 20-30 defensemen ever to lace them up. Just a special special player.
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Leetch is a product of the Bobby Orr generation, an offensive-no, make that attacking—defenseman whose rushes, world-class transition play and quarterbacking of the power play will strongly determine whether this U.S. team becomes a heavy-medal group or merely plays backup to the Soviets. Czechs, Swedes, Finns and Canadians.
Unlike his dad—but because of his dad—Brian has always been a defenseman. While a BC forward in 1960-61, his sophomore year. Jack Leetch was asked to switch to defense his junior year. "I had trouble making the transition." he says. Thus, when young Brian wanted to play forward, his dad "told me to start with defense. Learn the harder position first, then move up if I wanted to." Of course, he didn't want to. He was playing offense anyway.
"He'll give you a spin-o-rama, he'll look you off the puck, he's got great one-on-one moves." says Team Canada coach Dave King. "Makes you wonder why [North America] can't produce more such creative players."
"He's going to be our next great American player, one of those rare decade players," says U.S. general manager Art Berglund, One of those what? A decade player, says Berglund, is a guy "who projects to play about 10 years in the NHL."
For Leetch that decade should begin in March, when he is expected to join the New York Rangers. They drafted him in the first round in 1986. The Rangers tried to sign Leetch to a pro contract for the current NHL season, but playing on the Olympic team was a lifetime dream. "The best moment for me was when they read off my name for this team." says Leetch.
Team USA ended up having a disappointing showing and the Rangers quickly signed Leetch to a professional contract. He scored 14 points in 17 games for the Rangers in an abbreviated campaign, then beat out Team USA and Rangers teammate Tony Granato the following year for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. I have Leetch as the 3rd best American-born American-trained players of all-time, behind Chris Chelios and Frank Brimsek. Top 20-30 defensemen ever to lace them up. Just a special special player.
Full Article
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