OHL Brampton Steelheads

Future Steelheads: Michael McLeod

May 30, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brampton Steelheads News Release


When the Mississauga Steelheads selected Michael McLeod fifth overall in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, they helped fill two team needs with one draft pick.

First, McLeod brings a flair for creating opportunities on offense. The 6'1 175lb centre was third in GTHL scoring this past season for the Toronto Marlboros where he averaged 1.73 points per game recording 21 goals and 36 assists in 33 games. His impressive production in the regular season carried over to the GTHL playoffs where he added 7 points in 5 games.

McLeod carried the momentum from his GTHL season into the 2014 OHL Cup tournament where he scored 7 goals (tournament high) and 4 assists in seven tournament games. His performance helped the Toronto Marlboros reach their eighth straight OHL Cup final where they faced off against their GTHL rivals the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. In the championship game, McLeod scored 2 goals to help the Marlboros defeat the Jr. Canadiens by a 5-0 score and win the team's fourth OHL Cup in the past ten years.

Once the tournament ended, McLeod earned more hardware as he was awarded the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as the tournament MVP. He joins a list of recipients that includes Connor McDavid (2012), Sean Monahan (2010), Casey Cizikas (2007), Steven Stamkos (2006), and Sam Gagner (2005).

After he was selected by the Steelheads, McLeod suited up for Team GTHL Blue at the 2014 U16 Gold Cup. Over the course of the four day tournament featuring the top 160 under-16 players in Ontario, McLeod continued to produce on the ice and show why he was taken so high by the Steelheads.

McLeod scored 3 goals and 1 assist in 5 tournament games as he helped guide Team GTHL Blue to a spot in the championship game against Team OMHA White. McLeod scored two of his tournament goals in the championship game however Team OMHA White prevailed 5-2.

"[McLeod] is a go-to guy on his team. He is electrifying and you notice him almost every shift he is on the ice. His skating ability is definitely in the top of his age group. He has the ability to change gears mid stride and beat a defender with ease. Michael's one-on-one skills are outstanding - he has made many defensemen look very silly. He is more of a playmaker than a natural goal scorer. He competes hard every shift. Michael has all the skills and ability to be a very good player at the next level."

- OHL Central Scouting on Michael McLeod

The offensive skills that McLeod possesses and has demonstrated so far will be welcomed by the Steelheads as they look for an offensive boost to complement their defensive style of play.

When it came time for the Steelheads' fifth overall pick and McLeod was still available, there was another reason aside from his talent why the team would not pass him up. Steelheads' owner Elliott Kerr is committed to having a long term relationship with the city of Mississauga, and one of the ways Kerr and the team is maintaining this relationship is through the desire to pick up more local talent.

McLeod is one of four players from Mississauga that the Steelheads drafted in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. Along with goalie Kasimir Krol (4th round, 75th overall), forward Allister O'Hagan (13th round, 245th overall), and forward Philip Lagunov (14th round, 265th overall) they will look to make it onto a roster that currently has only two players that were born in Mississauga.

McLeod, a native of Lorne Park, will not only bring an offensive spark to the Steelheads but will also provide a buzz in the Mississauga community that will draw attention as the team heads into their third season at the Hershey Centre. Since their inception, the Steelheads have been committed to maintaining a strong presence in the Mississauga community. McLeod and the other hometown talents give fans and this city one more reason to get behind this team and take OHL hockey in Mississauga to the next level.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 30, 2014


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