Joey LaLeggia
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Birthday:
1992-06-24 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2012 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2012 |
Height:
5-10 |
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Acquired:
5th round (123rd overall), 2012 |
Weight:
181 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2009-10: After appearing in two games for Penticton in 2008-09, Joey LaLeggia was among the top offensive defensemen in the BCHL in his first full season with the Vees. In 54 games he scored 13 goals and led all BCHL defensemen with 52 assists. The Vees finished second in the Interior Division and lost to Vernon in the conference finals in the playoffs. In 16 playoff games LaLeggia scored 2 goals with 10 assists and had 8 penalty minutes.
2010-11: LaLeggia led all scorers for Penticton in his second season with the Vees. In 58 games he scored 20 goals with 62 assists and had 47 penalty minutes. Penticton again finished second in the Interior Division but lost in the conference quarterfinals in the playoffs. In nine playoff games LaLeggia scored 1 goal with 9 assists and had 12 penalty minutes. Laleggia was named the BCHL Interior Division's top defenseman and committed to playing college hockey at the University of Denver in 2011-12.
2011-12: LaLeggia skated in 43 games for the University of Denver as a freshman and was named the WCHA's Rookie of the Year. He scored 11 goals with 27 assists and was plus-13 with 35 penalty minutes. After finishing third in the WCHA during the regular season, the Pioneers reached the conference championship game and were an at-large selection for the NCAA tournament. In his third year of draft eligibility, Laleggia was not among the 210 North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft but was selected by Edmonton in the fifth round (123rd overall).
Talent Analysis
LaLeggia is a puck moving defender that has above average hockey sense and processes the game a very high rate. He has fluid skating skills, is an excellent passer and can control the power play. The small defender is an offensive blueliner that can score but has difficulty with physicality in the defensive zone. He's a long shot to ever play in the NHL on defense at his present size.
Future
LaLeggia will play his sophomore season at the University of Denver and is expected to put up better offensive numbers than his rookie of the year season of last year. He needs to improve his defensive play and get stronger over his development at the NCAA level.
