Leppard Keen to Make Season Count
March 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
Jackson Leppard of the Winnipeg ICE
(Winnipeg Ice)
The Winnipeg ICE have the maximum three 2000-born players on their roster and each one of them is a valuable member of the team.
Goalie Carl Stankowski has impressed in his first two starts and earned the win over Moose Jaw last time out.
Anderson Mac Donald missed the game against the Warriors due to an injury, but already has his first Western Hockey League goal after starting his career in the Quebec League.
And Jackson Leppard, the lone member of the trio with the ICE last season, has picked up where he left off in 2019-20 serving as a strong-skating, responsible, and physical presence in the middle of the team's second line.
NEW SITUATION, FAMILIAR FEEL
While Stankowski and MacDonald settle-in to life with the ICE, Leppard knows all about the culture of the club and he feels the team is adjusting well to life in the Hub in Regina.
"Once we got into a routine here and get going, it's pretty much back to what we had last year," said Jackson after Saturday's intense 45-minute practice. "(We're) practicing almost every day and getting our games in and getting in shape at the start here. I think it's been a pretty good routine we've got going now and it's starting to feel a bit more normal."
Victories over Swift Current, Saskatoon, and Moose Jaw have the ICE on an early roll heading into Sunday's matchup with the always-tough Prince Albert Raiders, but Leppard is quick to point out an opening game loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings was valuable in getting back into the groove.
"I think that first game against Brandon was a bit of a shock for us. I think after a year off of hockey it was tough to jump back into it and get into your normal game routine, but I think we made a really quick turnaround and we're getting our systems really dialed in as a team and I think we've been playing really well," said Leppard who scored 20-goals last season for the first time in his WHL career. "Winning three in-a-row here was really big for us. Every team this year is different and every game has been tight, and (we're) taking nothing for granted and playing our hardest out there."
MAKING THE MOST OF IT
With 20 games to go in the regular season, it would be easy for a veteran like Jackson Leppard to be distracted by thoughts of his junior career winding down, but the North Vancouver-product is putting his attention on relishing the opportunity in front of him instead.
"(I'm) definitely just enjoying every bit of it right now, and being in the moment, taking nothing for granted in my last year here and definitely fortunate that we got a season. It's definitely a lot better than not playing. I'm fortunate for the situation we're in right now."
It's a situation Leppard made sure he was ready to capitalize on too, doing what it took to be fit coming into the Hub Centre and maintaining a positive approach.
"I've been able to come in here in good shape, and I think having some time off when we're in the bubble (quarantine phase) we did workouts and I think everyone's stayed in pretty good shape. I've been feeling pretty energized on the ice, and feeling as good as any year. I think everyone took it pretty seriously and was pretty prepared for this quick start, and a lot of games in a short amount of time."
PRIDE IN ROLE
Early in the new season Leppard has centered a physical, hard-to-breakdown, line with 2001-born wingers Jakin Smallwood and Cole Muir often on either side - though freshman Conor Geekie has impressed to his left as well when Muir has played centre on another line.
With that mix of heft, pace, experience - and an understanding of their assignments - it's a trio that's comfortable making other teams uncomfortable.
"I think we're that line that James can kind of put us out against their top line and shut them down, and I think we've really embraced it as well as getting on the board," said Jackson, confident they can contribute. "We have size on that line and speed and I think we've been working off each other pretty well so far. I'm liking what I'm seeing."
For a player determined to make the most of his overage season, that willingness to stay in the moment and embrace tough assignments should serve him well.
Images from this story
 Jackson Leppard of the Winnipeg ICE |
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