Sunday, November 4, 2012

Brett Leonhardt

2 NHL Games

December 12, 2008 Washington Capitals vs Ottawa Senators. 5-1 win.
November 29, 2013 Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens.  3-2 win.

                                             GettyImages

   The opportunity of a lifetime came not once, but twice to Brett Leonhardt.

   December 12, 2008 Washington goalie Jose Theodore was injured during the team's morning skate. Semyon Varlamov was recalled from the AHL but wasn't expected to arrive in time for the game. The Capitals decided to turn to their web producer as an emergency replacement. Brett Leonhardt had played Division III college hockey and occasionally practised with the Capitals. "Best feeling in the world to be out there," said Leonhardt. When the Capitals showed him on the jumbotraun and the crown starting cheering, Leonhardt tried to "stay cool." All he wanted to do was jump and down with excitement. Leonhardt spent 9 minutes on the Capitals bench as a backup to Brent Johnson. Varlamov arrived to relieve Leonhardt half way through the first period. (1) 

   November 29, 2013 the impossible happened a second time for Leonhardt. Then Video Coach of the Capitals, Leonhardt was asked to dress as a backup to Braden Holtby in another NHL game. Michal Neuvirth had injured himself during the pre-game warmups and unable to play. This time Leonhardt spent the entire game on the bench as Capitals' backup goalie. Incredibly, Leonhardt didn't even take the night off from his video duties and between periods returned to his desk in full gear to see to his day job.

   At 6.07' Leonhardt was one of the tallest goalies ever to dress in the NHL. Had he played for the Capitals, he would have tied Ben Bishop as the tallest goalie in league history.  

  • Wore #80 with Washington Capitals in 2008
  • Wore #35 with Washington Capitals in 2013


Career stats from Hockeydb.com
Born  -- Waterloo, ONT 
Height 6.07 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
RS ScoringRS Goalie StatsPO Scoring
SeasonTeamLgeGPAPIMMinGAENSOGAAWLTSvsPctGPAPIM
2003-04SUNY-OswegoSUNYAC300
2004-05SUNY-OswegoSUNYAC1000
2005-06Neumann CollegeECAC-W400
2006-07Neumann CollegeECAC-W400
(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VsjSee_MIo

No comments:

Post a Comment