Beast Ink Kelly Cup Finalist and UMaine Grad Connor Leen
Published on August 31, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Brampton Beast News Release
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO - The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the St. John's IceCaps and Montreal Canadiens, announce today that gritty two-way forward and 2016 Kelly Cup finalist Connor Leen has signed a contract with the club for the upcoming 2016-17 ECHL season.
Leen, 24, played his first full season of professional hockey last year with the Beast's North Division rivals, the Wheeling Nailers. In 49 games played, the Chester, New York native scored nine goals and chipped in with 14 helpers for 23 total points.
The 5'9" left winger got his first taste of professional action at the end of the 2014-15 ECHL season and suited up for 11 games with the Bakersfield Condors. Leen hit the ground running during his short stint with the Condors and scored three goals and added three assists for six points.
Prior to turning pro, Leen was an important member of one of the most prestigious teams in NCAA hockey, the University of Maine Black Bears.
The speedy forward proved his worth at both ends of the ice over 120 NCAA contests between the 2011-12 and 2014-15 seasons. Leen lit the lamp 24 times in his collegiate career and added 29 assists with 79 penalty minutes.
Leen is very familiar with the Beast organization and played against his new team seven times last season, recording three goals and two assists in the process. The Chester, New York native liked what he saw from the club last season and is excited to help put Brampton on the map during the upcoming campaign.
"I can't wait to get the season underway," Leen said.
"I think (the Nailers) played the Beast 14 times or something last season. They were a hard working team with good systems. They had a lot of skill up front with a lot of really good forwards. I'm excited to get up to Brampton."
Beast Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Chaulk followed Wheeling's run to the Kelly Cup Final very closely during the offseason and liked what he saw from the reliable winger.
"We're really excited to be able to get Connor Leen," Chaulk said. "He was a big part of Wheeling's playoff run and got a taste of what it takes to get there. We're really excited to get a player of his speed. He will definitely bring some depth to our offensive attack."
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ECHL Stories from August 31, 2016
- Goaltender Motte, Rookie Forward Gadoury Join Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Goaltender Motte, Rookie Forward Gadoury Join Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Beast Ink Kelly Cup Finalist and UMaine Grad Connor Leen - Brampton Beast
- Shiplo Returns to Gladiators for 2016-2017 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Komets Ink Defenseman Shea - Fort Wayne Komets
- Stingrays Gain Scoring Punch with Addition of Rob Flick - South Carolina Stingrays
- Komets Ink Defenseman Shea; Goalie Bartus Signs Tryout Agreement - Fort Wayne Komets
- Walleye Add Two Forwards - Toledo Walleye
- Cyclones Land Two-Time Defending Kelly Cup Champion - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Kelly Cup Champ Returns to Aces - Alaska Aces
- Nailers Re-Sign Kevin Schulze - Wheeling Nailers
- Samuel Noreau, Sean Pauly Join Mavericks Stable - Kansas City Mavericks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
