Gary Leeman

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Gary Leeman (Born February 19, 1964 in Toronto, Ontario) is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.

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[edit] Junior career

The Toronto native attended Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and was a standout defenceman for two seasons with the WHL's Regina Pats. He was chosen 24th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft and then returned to junior where he scored 86 points in 63 games. Leeman also represented Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1983 and joined the Maple Leafs for two playoff games that spring. Following the season the gifted youngster was placed on the WHL first all-star team.

[edit] Professional career

Leeman scored twelve points as a rookie in 1983–84 and was loaned by Toronto to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships. By 1985–86 season, he formed the "Hound Line" with Wendel Clark and Russ Courtnall while helping the Leafs come within a game of the semi-finals.

Beginning in 1986–87, Leeman was a top goal scorer for the club with four-straight 20-goal seasons. In 1988–89, he scored 32 goals and was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game. In 1989–90, he became the second Toronto player after Rick Vaive to register a 50-goal season. He dropped to 17 goals the next season when his effectiveness was reduced by a shoulder separation.

Half-way through the 1991–92 season, Leeman was the key player sent to Calgary in a ten-player blockbuster trade that brought Doug Gilmour to Toronto. Leeman never re-discovered his scoring touch in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, or St. Louis in the ensuing years. He spent the 1997–98 season with the Hannover Scorpions of the German League then spent time in Germany and Switzerland before retiring in 1999.

[edit] Awards & Achievements

[edit] External links

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