It has been a memorable week for Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs assistant captain Blake Leask, who was named the 2011-12 Alberta Junior Hockey League's Most Outstanding Defenceman Feb. 22, after putting up 49 points in 55 games this season.
Just a few days earlier, the league's top defenceman made a commitment to attend the University of Alaska – Anchorage, accepting a scholarship to pursue post-secondary education and play hockey for the Seawolves starting this fall.
“It's been a wild ride these past few days,” Leask said. “It feels awesome to be recognized like that. It's a big confidence booster and something positive to take going forward.”
In his third full season with the Pontiacs, Leask put up 13 goals and 36 assists, including eight power play markers.
The defenceman explained how he put up those numbers as a defenceman on one of the top defensive teams in the league.
“Just shoot the puck. Get the puck to the net,” he said. “A lot of my points came off rebounds and guys tapping it in. I owe a lot of credit to my teammates. You can't win an award by yourself.”
For all of his offence, it was Leask's leadership and versatility that impressed teammates and coaches.
Leask not only put up even strength and power play points, his defensive abilities were relied upon to shut down the top offensive players in the league.
He also donned the captain's “C” during a game earlier this season, when both co-captains Kevin Carthy and Dante Borrelli were injured and out of the lineup.
Pontiacs head coach Chad Mercier and associate coach Ryan Pollock have commended Leask's ability to excel in almost any role he is given all season.
“He been a point-per-game guy for more than a year-and-a-half for us and that in itself speaks volumes of an 18 and 19-year-old kid,” said Mercier “He's put a lot of work in and all the credit he is getting is well-deserved.”
As for the scholarship to Alaska, Leask said he is excited about going to play for an NCAA Division 1 school, though his sole focus remains with the Pontiacs and the current playoff drive.
“It's a great opportunity and it was nice to make the decision now and clear my head going into playoffs,” he said.
The decision to attend the post-secondary institution this fall means Leask, born in 1992, will forgo his final junior hockey year.
“It's something we are all working towards,” he said. “We all want to get to that next level.”
