London Knights veteran ready for bounce-back season after injury

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Alec Leonard was in high gear when he broke his ankle in the opening game of the OHL’s Western conference final against the Saginaw Spirit in late April.

“Straight through the fibula,” the 20-year-old London Knights defenceman said Wednesday at practice at Budweiser Gardens. “It was definitely the most difficult time I’ve had in hockey. The way I was playing in the second half of the season until the end was the best hockey I’ve played in my life.

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“To go out playing like that and at that point in the season, it was the hardest thing to handle.”

He watched the Knights win that series, then sweep Oshawa for the Ontario Hockey League title. Then, he had to watch again in Saginaw as the host Spirit beat London with 21 seconds left for the Memorial Cup title in early June.

Leonard spent a lot of the off-season in London rehabbing his ankle at the Fowler Kennedy clinic. When he finally started skating in late July, he was on the ice with various groups, including sessions led by new Jr. B London Nationals coach and ex-Knight Brandon Prust.

“I ramped it up from there,” the Toronto native said. “It was a long, difficult recovery but it was perfect timing to peak right at the start of training camp and we’re off to the races. I’ve got through it and, now, I’m just looking to this season and will do whatever I can to help the team this year.”

Leonard had four goals and 18 points with a plus-13 rating in 66 regular-season games last season. He was part of the best blue line in junior hockey that has now graduated Isaiah George (Islanders) and Jackson Edward (Bruins).

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The Knights are trending younger on the back end with Flyers first-rounder Oliver Bonk the lone returning 19-year-old. Leonard, one of three right-shooting d-man along with Bonk and Henry Brzustewicz, is in a roster battle as an overager.

Goaltender Owen Willmore and forwards Landon Sim, Ruslan Gazizov and Jacob Julien – if the Jets feel he needs another year of junior – are also in the mix. There can only be three in the lineup every game and Leonard has told the Knights brass he intends to make the team.

“(I want it) extremely bad,” the 5-foot-11, 174-pounder said. “I have to prove it on the ice and earn my spot. That’s what I’m doing and that’s what I will continue to do.”

The 2020 Niagara second-rounder (27th overall) has impressed the decision-makers with his determination already.

“It looks like there’s no issues,” London associate GM Rob Simpson said. “He has been skating very well. A lot of that injury when you’re cleared is getting it out of your own mind that you can twist this way or move that way. He hasn’t shown any issues with pivots and the ability to transition.

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“He can transport the puck, jump in the rush and create scoring chances. He brings that physical element, too. He looks in really good shape and he’s fast on the ice.”

Any mental hurdles, Leonard promises, are no longer an obstacle.

“I have no worry about holding back,” he said. “I’m back to playing the way I know I can. I’m just right back to doing what I’m doing and will elevate from there. Part of helping will be moving the puck up the ice and contributing offensively and most importantly, defending well and being a guy they rely on.”

He hated the way last season ended. Now, it’s time for a big start.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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