Josh Leivo
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Birthday:
1993-05-26 |
Position:
LW |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
3rd round (86th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
180 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: Josh Leivo skated for the Barrie Junior Colts (midget AAA) and was selected by Sudbury in the 11th round (205th overall) of the 2009 OHL Priority draft.
2009-10: Leivo scored 30 goals playing with the Barrie Junior Colts AAA club.
2010-11: Leivo signed with Sudbury after attending the Wolves summer camp. After a slow start to his rookie season – he did not have a point until his sixth game (scoring twice in an October game against Niagara Falls) and did not score again until December – Leivo's game picked up in the second half after he was placed on a line with San Jose prospect Michael Sgarbossa and Russian import forward Andrey Kuchin. Leivo finished the regular season with 13 goals and 17 assists and 37 PMs in 64 games. Remarkably, after being -25 plus/minus on January 2, Leivo was +15 in his last 29 games. Leivo was at his best in the playoffs as the Wolves, after finishing below .500 in the regular season, swept the East Division champion Ottawa 67's in the first round before falling to Central Division winner and eventual playoff finalist Mississauga St. Mike's in the second round. In the first playoff game at Ottawa, Leivo had a hat trick and two assists in a wild, 8-7, Wolves' win. In eight playoff games he scored 6 goals with 7 assists and was +6 with 4 PMs. Not among the North American skaters on Central Scouting's final rankings, Leivo was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3rd round (86th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
2011-12: Leivo made his pro hockey debut, playing in a late season game for the AHL's Toronto Marlies, after a breakout offensive year with the Sudbury Wolves. He was minus-one with no points or penalty minutes in his only game with the Marlies. In his second OHL season he was the Wolves second-leading scorer behind Avalanche prospect Michael Sgarbossa. Leivo scored 32 goals with 41 assists and was plus-two with 61 penalty minutes in 66 games. Sudbury finished fourth in the Central Division. Leivo scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was minus-five with six penalty minutes in the four-game playoff series with Brampton.
Talent Analysis
Leivo has been a goal scorer at every level who put things together in the second half of his first season in juniors. He is a decent-sized forward who should be even stronger as he continues to develop and fills out his frame. Still early in his developmental process, Leivo uses his height and reach to his advantage in the forecheck as well as in the attack. He plays with a lot of energy and is pretty quick, though his skating agility is still an issue at times - an area that should improve. Also a baseball pitcher, Leivo's mental composure and analytical abilities are valuable tools.
Future
Leivo is playing for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves for the 2012-13 season.
