Brendan Leipsic
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Birthday:
1994-05-19 |
Position:
LW |
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Eligible for draft:
2012 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2012 |
Height:
5-9 |
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Acquired:
3rd round (89th overall), 2012 |
Weight:
175 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2009-10: Brendan Leipsic skated for the Winnipeg Wild midget AAA team in Manitoba. In 41 games he was the Wild's second-leading scorer with 23 goals and 40 assists and had 38 penalty minutes. The Wild finished first in the East Division before falling to second-place Eastman in the playoff semifinals. In seven playoff games Leipsic scored 2 goals with 2 assists and had 15 penalty minutes.
2010-11: Selected by Portland in the sixth round (112th overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Leipsic skated in 68 games for the Winterhawks as a WHL rookie. In a secondary role on a powerhouse Portland team that won the U.S. Division and had the WHL's third-best record, Leipsic scored 16 goals with 17 assists and was plus-13 with 50 penalty minutes. Leipsic skated in all 21 playoff games during Portland's run to the WHL finals and scored 3 goals with 4 assists while finishing plus-two with 14 penalty minutes. Leipsic skated for Canada Western in the 2011 U17 World Hockey Challenge and scored 3 goals with 2 assists.
2011-12: Leipsic was the fourth-leading goal scorer for Portland in his second season with the Winterhawks. He scored 28 goals with 30 assists and was plus-16 with 82 penalty minutes in 65 games. Portland reached the WHL playoff finals for the second straight year after finishing second to Tri-City in the U.S. Division. In 20 playoff games Leipsic scored 7 goals with 8 assists and was plus-six with 28 penalty minutes. Ranked 114th amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft, he was selected by Nashville in the third round (89th overall).
Talent Analysis
Leipsic is a small, energetic winger who hits everything that moves and life miserable for his opponents. The speedy forward is offensively skilled, a gifted finisher and can produce on the power play. He needs to add strength, more consistency throughout the season and play on the edge without going over the line. The physical winger could project into a top-six forward at the NHL level but at worst, a checker with some offensive upside.
Future
Leipsic will play his third season in the WHL for Portland and needs to continue the development of his overall game. He could get the opportunity to play for Team Canada at the 2013 WJC tournament if he stays healthy.
