Woodstock teen’s determination and love of game keeps him pursuing hockey dream
MICHAEL LEECH
IROQUOIS FALLS STORM
Position: F
Shoots: L
Birthdate: 2004-03-25
Hometown: Skiff Lake, N.B.
Future aspirations after hockey: Boxer
Okay,
I admit I made up the last line about future aspirations: Boxer.
Michael Leech didn’t tell me that, but after speaking with Leech for 45 minutes on a telephone interview, I’m certain he’d make a terrific boxer after his playing days. Every time this young man is knocked down, he stands quickly back onto his feet again.
I first noticed Leech in the fall of 2020, at the beginning of his Grade 10 school year. At that time, he had left home to attend school and play hockey for the Mavericks at Ontario Hockey Academy in Cornwall, Ontario.
This was one year after being cut from our region’s AAA Bantam hockey program, the North West Bulls — for the second successive year! That’s a knockout punch for most young hockey players. However, it was only a knockdown for Leech.
He jumped to his feet, then bobbed and weaved his way to an Andrews Hockey School showcase event on Prince Edward Island in the summer of 2020.
“Ontario Hockey Academy (OHA) were one of the programs at the showcase. I met with the coaches. They watched me play. They told me I wouldn’t be a top player in year one but I’d be given an opportunity to develop and play”, Leech explains.
“I thought about staying home and playing high school hockey at WHS. All my friends were there, it was a tough decision. I felt I owed it to myself to go and try to be the best I could be and improve my game,” Leech states.
“At OHA in my grade 10 year we were on the ice everyday and in the gym almost everyday. I saw a lot of ice time,” Leech continues.
Of course, March 2021 brought COVID. For Leech, it meant saying goodbye to hockey and OHA for the immediate future. Leech returned home and finished his school year online.
Another knockdown. But again, Leech sprung to his feet.
“In September I returned to OHA (pronounced O-HA for short). I’d considered staying home. COVID had put a stop to regular activities. But I had friends now and great teammates at OHA. I needed to go back,” Leech explains.
“I connected with a great coach (Kevin Rawlick) and we made the best of a difficult situation that whole season. We couldn’t play games against other teams. We practiced, worked on skill development and scrimmaged amongst ourselves. I really missed games and the competition”, Leech recalls.
One of the interesting facets of a “hockey academy” such as OHA is that student-athletes may come from several countries.
“I had team mates and met guys from Cape Breton, Germany and Australia. Friends for life.”
In September 2022, Leech returned once again to Cornwall.
“I felt I had unfinished business there,” he said.
Leech used his Grade 12 year to build a hockey resume and work on his skills and overall game. As a senior, he thrived as a leader.
Leech applied to some universities but badly wanted to continue playing hockey somewhere.
“I built a hockey resume and included my school grades and video clips of my game. My coaches did some networking for me, and I began to reach out to speak to teams myself,” he said.
Impressive.
“Espanola of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League invited me to a camp and eventually offered me a spot on their team. Then a few months into the season (21-22) I was traded to Cochrane.”
Another knockdown? For Leech, it was only a stumble.
“It was tough being traded, but it was the right move for me,” said Leech. He finished the season on a positive note in Cochrane.
Cochrane moved operations to Iroquois Falls for the 2023-24 season. Leech explained.
“It’s great here,” he said. “Our games are well attended, and people recognize us around town. The billet families appreciate us.”
Leech used last season as a springboard to grow his all-around game.
“I can play all three forward positions and responsibly at each end of the ice. I was an assistant captain last year which I was proud of.”
Leech thanks his parents, Andy and Andrea, for their ongoing support. He also praises Coach Rawlick, with whom he remains in touch, as a hockey influence.
When speaking to Leech, you hear him use words such as “leadership” and “teamwork.” He hopes to wear a letter once again this season.
“But I’ve learned I can’t take anything for granted,” he states matter of factly.
I get a sense this young man loves the sport and has learned from the knockdown punches hockey has landed him. The 2024-25 season will be Leech’s final Junior A hockey season, and he wants to keep playing beyond this year.
Leech concludes, “Maybe in the low-tier professional levels or in Europe.” I’m open to any opportunities.
I’m 100 per cent in Michael Leech’s corner. Everyone who’s been knocked down needs a good-cut man.
