Reggie Leach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reggie LeachCM OM |
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Leach (left) in November 2018
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| Born | April 23, 1950 Riverton, Manitoba, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Right Wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins California Golden Seals Philadelphia Flyers Detroit Red Wings |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 3rd overall, 1970 Boston Bruins |
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| Playing career | 1970–1984 | ||
Reginald Joseph Leach CM OM (born April 23, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a right winger who played for 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings between 1970 and 1983. Reggie Leach is most famous for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers. He helped the Flyers win the Stanley Cup in 1975. He was also a key member of a famous line of players called the LCB line.
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Reggie Leach's Hockey Journey
Starting in the NHL
Reggie Leach was known by two cool nicknames: "The Riverton Rifle" because of his powerful shot, and "The Chief". The Boston Bruins picked him third overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. He scored his first NHL goal for Boston in January 1971. He scored nine goals while playing for the Bruins.
Moving to New Teams
In 1972, Boston traded Leach to the California Golden Seals. He played there for three seasons. Then, in 1974, the Golden Seals traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers. This was a big move for Reggie. He quickly became an important player for the Flyers.
Winning the Stanley Cup
Reggie Leach helped the Philadelphia Flyers win the Stanley Cup in the 1975 season. This is one of the biggest achievements in hockey. After many successful years with the Flyers, Leach finished his NHL career with one season playing for the Detroit Red Wings.
A Record-Breaking Season
Reggie Leach had his best season in 1975–76 with the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored an amazing 61 goals, which was the most in the league that season. This also set a new record for the most goals by a Flyers player in one season. He also had 91 points and was a strong player on the ice, with a +73 rating.
Playoff MVP: The Conn Smythe Trophy
Reggie Leach is especially remembered for something very rare. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1976. This award goes to the most valuable player (MVP) in the Stanley Cup playoffs. What makes it special is that he won it even though his team, the Flyers, lost in the Final series. Only a few players in NHL history have won this award while on the losing team.
During those 1976 playoffs, Reggie Leach set new NHL records. He scored 19 goals in just 16 games, which was a record for most goals in a single postseason. He also had an incredible 10-game goal-scoring streak in the playoffs, which is still a record today. In one game against the Boston Bruins, he scored five goals, a feat only a few other legendary players have achieved.
Career Highlights
Overall, Reggie Leach played 934 games in the NHL. He scored 381 goals and made 285 assists, totaling 666 points. He was also part of the Flyers' amazing 35-game unbeaten streak in 1980, which is still an NHL record. In 1976, he played for Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup, helping them win the championship. He was also chosen to be on the NHL All-Star teams in 1976 and 1980.
Life After Playing Hockey
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Reggie Leach stayed involved in hockey. In late 2007, he became an associate coach for the Manitoulin Islanders, a junior hockey team. The next year, he became their full-time head coach and director of hockey operations.
Reggie Leach's Family and Heritage
Reggie Leach is a member of the Berens River First Nation in Manitoba, meaning he is of Ojibwe heritage. His family has a strong connection to sports. His son, Jamie Leach, also played in the NHL for a few seasons and won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992. Reggie, Jamie, and Reggie's daughter Brandie have all represented Canada in sports. Reggie played for Team Canada in hockey, Jamie played in the World Juniors for hockey, and Brandie played in the world Lacrosse championships.
Awards and Honors
- MJHL First All-Star Team (1967)
- Turnbull Cup MJHL Championship (1967)
- WCJHL First All-Star Team (1968)
- WCHL All-Star Team (1969 and 1970)
- WCHL Goal Scoring Leader (1968 and 1970)
- WCHL Scoring Champion (1970)
- WCHL Player of the Year (1970)
- Stanley Cup championship (1975)
- NHL Goal Scoring Leader (1976)
- NHL Second All-Star Team (1976)
- Conn Smythe Trophy (1976)
- Canada Cup championship (1976)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1976 and 1980)
- Inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1997
- Selected to Manitoba's All-Century Second All-Star Team
- Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
- Inducted into Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame (1992)
- Selected as the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, now the Indspire Awards, recipient in the sports category (2008)
- Member of the Order of Manitoba (2016)
- Member of the Order of Canada (2019)
- Honorary degree Doctor of Laws, Brock University (2019)
Images for kids
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Leach (left) in November 2018
