Salmon Kings Welcome Mac Back

Published on August 4, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that they have signed veteran forward Kiel McLeod for the 2010-11 season.

The Kelowna, BC native rejoins the Salmon Kings after two seasons overseas. In 2009-10, McLeod suited up for Villacher SV in Austria where he recorded 41 points (22g-19a) and 170 minutes in penalties in 51 games played.

"Kiel is a physical presence and has been very successful in this league in the past," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "He is very good in the face-off circle and is difficult to play against due to his size and speed."

Prior to last season he spent the 2008-09 season with Italy's SG Cortina squad, scoring 50 points (28g-22a) in 36 games while serving 129 penalty minutes. McLeod's 28 goals led the entire SG Cortina team.

The former Salmon Kings' captain ranks third on the club's all-time list in goals (47) and power play goals (23), while sitting sixth in points (98) and second in game-winning goals (8).

The 6-6, 235 lb. McLeod most recently spent time in Victoria during the 2007-08 season when he captained the squad in 48 games. During that time he scored 15 goals and added 20 assists for 35 points with 117 minutes in penalties. McLeod also played in 20 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) that season with the Albany River Rats, notching 13 points (5g-8a) and 20 minutes in penalties.

The 27-year-old spent the entire 2006-07 campaign with the Salmon Kings, registering 63 points (32g-31a) and 116 penalty minutes in 65 contests.

Prior to joining the Salmon Kings, McLeod spent the majority of three seasons (2003-04 to 2005-06) in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons, Utah Grizzlies, San Antonio Rampage and Philadelphia Phantoms. In 212 career games in the AHL during that span he tallied 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points while accumulating 247 penalty minutes. McLeod also dressed in eight contests for the ECHL's Trenton Titans during the 2005-06 season where he scored nine points (5g-4a) and registered 15 minutes in penalties.

For his professional career, McLeod has scored 260 points (129g-131a) and served 822 penalty minutes in 441 games. He has also participated in 18 professional playoff contests garnering six goals and five assists for 11 points with 33 minutes in penalties.

The former Salmon Kings' captain was drafted in second round (#53 overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

McLeod spent his entire six-year junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kelowna Rockets. In 290 career games in Kelowna he scored 261 points (123g-138a) and accrued 467 penalty minutes. In five of his six seasons with the Rockets, McLeod dressed for the WHL Playoffs totaling 32 points (14g-18a) and 30 penalty minutes in 38 games played. Following the 2002-03 season with the Rockets where he scored a career high 90 points (39g-51a) he was named to the WHL's Second All-Star Team.

The Salmon Kings open the 2010-11 season on Friday, October 15th in Idaho with a two-game set versus the defending National Conference champion Steelheads. Victoria returns home to open up their schedule at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre with a three-game set versus the Ontario Reign beginning Wednesday, October 27th. Season tickets for the Salmon Kings' 2010-11 season are now on sale. Call 250-220-7889 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com to purchase yours today!

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