Nick Leddy
Encyclopedia
Nick Leddy is an American
professional ice hockey
defenseman, currently playing with the Chicago Blackhawks
organization. He was drafted in the 1st round, 16th overall by the Minnesota Wild
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
. According to projections, Leddy has enormous potential as an offensive defenseman and playmaker both at the collegiate and professional levels. On February 12, 2010, the Minnesota Wild traded Leddy's NHL rights to the Chicago Blackhawks
along with Kim Johnsson
in exchange for Cam Barker
. Minnesota Golden Gophers
coach Don Lucia
stated in September 2009 that he foresaw Leddy spending at least two years in development with the Minnesota Golden Gophers before making his transition to the NHL and a professional career. On January 17, 2011, Leddy was assigned to Rockford (AHL) by the Blackhawks but was later recalled on January 22, 2011 for a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
, Leddy recorded five goals and 22 assists for a total of 27 points in his junior year. These numbers propelled Leddy to second-team all-Metro and earned him an honorable mention for all-state honors in Minnesota. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program
and USA Hockey
acknowledged Leddy as one of the best young players in the nation, but instead of heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join the USNTDP, Leddy chose to finish his high school career with his teammates, and returned to Eden Prairie for his senior year. Leddy posted 12 goals and 33 assists for a total of 45 points during that 2008-09 season, earning him the prestigious Minnesota "Mr. Hockey"
award and the title of Metro Player of the Year by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In addition, the Associated Press named Leddy to first-team all-state. Leddy was also awarded a position on the Class AA all-state tournament team.
men's ice hockey team, Leddy immediately made his presence known. In his collegiate debut, Leddy would score a power-play goal in a 6-1 rout of the University of British Columbia. Shortly afterward, however, Leddy would suffer a broken jaw against Alaska-Anchorage on October 30, 2009. This injury would cause Leddy to miss eight early-season games. Despite the absence, Leddy would strike back by posting his first career goal in his second game following his return in a win at Minnesota State on December 5, 2009. In early January 2009, Leddy would collect an assist in each game of the Golden Gophers' rout of Harvard, and would soon follow these assists up with two more assists against Alaska-Anchorage later in the month. Leddy would be named WCHA Rookie of the Week after posting a three-point game against Colorado College on February 20, 2010, boasting the game-winning goal and two assists. Shortly after having his NHL draft rights traded from Minnesota to Chicago on February 12, 2010, Leddy would post remarkable, team-leading numbers, including four assists, five points, 21 shots on goal and a plus-four rating for the month of February. He would carry this momentum into the month of March 2010, scoring yet another power-play goal against Wisconsin on March 7, 2010. Ultimately, Leddy would receive the team's Rookie of the Year award after playing in 30 games and ranking third among the team's defensemen in scoring by posting a solid 11 points. Leddy led the team in plus-minus with a plus-six rating, all the while maintaining excellent discipline on the ice: Leddy committed just two penalties all season. As a testament to Leddy's importance as a young defenseman, the Golden Gophers posted a 7-1 record when Leddy scored a point.
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
. On February 12, 2010, the Minnesota Wild traded Leddy's NHL rights to the Chicago Blackhawks
along with Kim Johnsson
in exchange for Cam Barker
. Minnesota coach Don Lucia
stated in September 2009 that he foresaw Leddy spending at least two years in development with the Golden Gophers before making his transition to the NHL and a professional career. On July 27, 2010 it was reported by the Chicago Tribune that the Blackhawks had agreed to terms on a three-year, $2.7 million contract with defenseman Nick Leddy, who will turn professional and leave the University of Minnesota after playing one season, according to his agent, Neil Sheehy. "(Leddy) is really smooth out there and I think he's going to be a Blackhawk for many years," general manager Stan Bowman said July 12 at the conclusion of the Hawks' Prospects Camp.
Leddy played his first NHL game on October 8, 2010 against the Colorado Avalanche
and scored his first NHL goal on October 11, 2010 against Ryan Miller
of the Buffalo Sabres
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman, currently playing with the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
organization. He was drafted in the 1st round, 16th overall by the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
. According to projections, Leddy has enormous potential as an offensive defenseman and playmaker both at the collegiate and professional levels. On February 12, 2010, the Minnesota Wild traded Leddy's NHL rights to the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
along with Kim Johnsson
Kim Johnsson
Kim Johnsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent.-Playing career:...
in exchange for Cam Barker
Cam Barker
Cameron Barker is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent four seasons with the club before being traded to the Wild in 2010...
. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey
The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. They are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey...
coach Don Lucia
Don Lucia
Don Lucia is the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team. He has twice led the Golden Gophers to the NCAA National Championship title, in 2002 and 2003. Under Lucia, the Golden Gophers have won five MacNaughton Cups and won the Broadmoor Trophy three times...
stated in September 2009 that he foresaw Leddy spending at least two years in development with the Minnesota Golden Gophers before making his transition to the NHL and a professional career. On January 17, 2011, Leddy was assigned to Rockford (AHL) by the Blackhawks but was later recalled on January 22, 2011 for a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
Eden Prairie High School
After a solid sophomore year at Eden Prairie High SchoolEden Prairie High School
Eden Prairie High School is a four-year public high school located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The present high school opened in 1981 and was significantly added to in 1990, 1994 and 1997. Eden Prairie High School has been graduating students for over seventy years. The school was named a Blue...
, Leddy recorded five goals and 22 assists for a total of 27 points in his junior year. These numbers propelled Leddy to second-team all-Metro and earned him an honorable mention for all-state honors in Minnesota. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann...
and USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
acknowledged Leddy as one of the best young players in the nation, but instead of heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join the USNTDP, Leddy chose to finish his high school career with his teammates, and returned to Eden Prairie for his senior year. Leddy posted 12 goals and 33 assists for a total of 45 points during that 2008-09 season, earning him the prestigious Minnesota "Mr. Hockey"
Minnesota Mr. Hockey
The following is a list of ice hockey players who have been selected over the years to receive the Mr. Hockey award as the most outstanding senior high school hockey player in the state of Minnesota. The recipients are reviewed and selected by a group of National Hockey League scouts and Division I...
award and the title of Metro Player of the Year by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In addition, the Associated Press named Leddy to first-team all-state. Leddy was also awarded a position on the Class AA all-state tournament team.
Freshman Year
As a member of the Minnesota Golden GophersMinnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey
The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. They are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey...
men's ice hockey team, Leddy immediately made his presence known. In his collegiate debut, Leddy would score a power-play goal in a 6-1 rout of the University of British Columbia. Shortly afterward, however, Leddy would suffer a broken jaw against Alaska-Anchorage on October 30, 2009. This injury would cause Leddy to miss eight early-season games. Despite the absence, Leddy would strike back by posting his first career goal in his second game following his return in a win at Minnesota State on December 5, 2009. In early January 2009, Leddy would collect an assist in each game of the Golden Gophers' rout of Harvard, and would soon follow these assists up with two more assists against Alaska-Anchorage later in the month. Leddy would be named WCHA Rookie of the Week after posting a three-point game against Colorado College on February 20, 2010, boasting the game-winning goal and two assists. Shortly after having his NHL draft rights traded from Minnesota to Chicago on February 12, 2010, Leddy would post remarkable, team-leading numbers, including four assists, five points, 21 shots on goal and a plus-four rating for the month of February. He would carry this momentum into the month of March 2010, scoring yet another power-play goal against Wisconsin on March 7, 2010. Ultimately, Leddy would receive the team's Rookie of the Year award after playing in 30 games and ranking third among the team's defensemen in scoring by posting a solid 11 points. Leddy led the team in plus-minus with a plus-six rating, all the while maintaining excellent discipline on the ice: Leddy committed just two penalties all season. As a testament to Leddy's importance as a young defenseman, the Golden Gophers posted a 7-1 record when Leddy scored a point.
Professional career
He was drafted in the 1st round, 16th overall by the Minnesota WildMinnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
. On February 12, 2010, the Minnesota Wild traded Leddy's NHL rights to the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
along with Kim Johnsson
Kim Johnsson
Kim Johnsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent.-Playing career:...
in exchange for Cam Barker
Cam Barker
Cameron Barker is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent four seasons with the club before being traded to the Wild in 2010...
. Minnesota coach Don Lucia
Don Lucia
Don Lucia is the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team. He has twice led the Golden Gophers to the NCAA National Championship title, in 2002 and 2003. Under Lucia, the Golden Gophers have won five MacNaughton Cups and won the Broadmoor Trophy three times...
stated in September 2009 that he foresaw Leddy spending at least two years in development with the Golden Gophers before making his transition to the NHL and a professional career. On July 27, 2010 it was reported by the Chicago Tribune that the Blackhawks had agreed to terms on a three-year, $2.7 million contract with defenseman Nick Leddy, who will turn professional and leave the University of Minnesota after playing one season, according to his agent, Neil Sheehy. "(Leddy) is really smooth out there and I think he's going to be a Blackhawk for many years," general manager Stan Bowman said July 12 at the conclusion of the Hawks' Prospects Camp.
Leddy played his first NHL game on October 8, 2010 against the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and scored his first NHL goal on October 11, 2010 against Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.Other people named Ryan Miller:*Ryan Miller , video game designer and author*Ryan Miller , lead singer and guitar player for the band Guster...
of the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
.
International play
Leddy's high school and post-secondary career was supplemented with intermittent international play and development. He was a member of the U.S. squad in both the under-17 and under-18 Five Nations tournaments in the Czech Republic. In addition, Leddy would particiate in the 2009 U.S. under-18 evaluation camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. in association with USA Hockey and the USA Olympic team. Leddy would post three goals and two assists in just five games at Lake Placid. .Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2009–10 | University of Minnesota University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557... |
WCHA Western Collegiate Hockey Association The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.... |
30 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
46 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Rockford IceHogs Rockford IceHogs This article is about the former UHL franchise. For the current American Hockey League franchise, see Rockford IceHogs.The Rockford IceHogs were a professional ice hockey team in Rockford, Illinois USA. They were a member of the United Hockey League from 1999 to 2007. The IceHogs played their home... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
22 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 46 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||