The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs haven't had a player lead the league in scoring since Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mark Letestu did it in 2005-06. The trend will continue this year, as the Pontiacs leading scorer, Tanner Dusyk has 50 points in 53 games and sits 19th in league scoring.
But one Pontiacs player is among the league's elite when it comes to offensive skill and the statistics he is putting up, though he is not getting a whole lot of attention outside the organization, perhaps because of his position as a defender.
Born in 1992, Blake Leask is already in his third full season with the Pontiacs and he is making the most of it, leading all AJHL defencemen in scoring, putting up 12 goals and 35 assists through 50 games this season.
Leask started his junior hockey career in 2008-09, playing four games for the Pontiacs. The next season, playing in 53 games, Leask put up three goals and five assists. But it was last season when Leask really started to show his offensive capabilities at the Jr. A level, playing in all 60 games and putting up three goals and 26 assists for 29 points.
Through much of the 2011-12 season, Leask has brought his game to a whole new level, likely putting himself in the running for the AJHL's outstanding defenceman award, following this season's playoff run.
"There is no doubt Leask is one of our offensive leaders," said Pontiacs associate coach Ryan Pollock. "He anchors our back end on the power play and picks up a lot of his points there. But he also brings that knowledge to the game, knowing you can't create offence playing in your own end. And that's where his defensive abilities come into play."
Pollock pointed out his excellent skating ability, hard, accurate shot and keen hockey sense, as some of the reasons Leask has progressively improved into one of the league's top players during his junior career.
Leask attributes his statistical success to creating the play as oppose to looking for a play to make.
"I'm always moving my feet. It keeps me from getting hit but it also allows me the time to create something," explained Leask.
He said offence is a big part of his game but being a defenceman, he does have to pick his spots carefully.
"It's a balance," he explained. "There are times when you can jump up and there are times when you have to stay back and protect your end."
Leask added, "I've always loved to score though. There is no better feeling than helping the team win than by scoring a big goal or making a big play."
His points this season have often come in bunches, with Leask highlighting his year with a five-point effort in Drumheller Dec. 18, notching a hat trick and two assists against the Dragons.
Pontiacs defenceman Jordon Krankowsky, who is having a career-year of his own at 20-years old, putting up seven goals and 18 assists through 53 games, said Leask is a crucial part of the team's offence.
"You just have to take one look at the stats to see how important he is to our offence," said Krankowsky. "As a d-man, you're really trying to limit chances in your own end but when you get a chance to contribute offensively, he likes to do it and he's been a big part of that."
Leask said he started playing defence in bantam AAA, after a teammate went down with an injury. Then after being drafted as a defenceman by the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL in 2007, the position kind of stuck.
However, with a shortage of offensive coming from the Pontiacs lineup, as well as some key forwards out with injuries, Leask was moved up to forward this past week for the first time since minor hockey.
Over his past four games as a forward, Leask has put up four points.
"It gives us a another dimension to offence," said Pollock. "We know he has the ability to score and we think it's a move that can jump start our offence."
Leask said he is comfortable with whatever position the coaches ask him to play, and conversely, the coaches are comfortable whenever Leask is sent out on the ice.
"He is one of our leaders and one of the elite players in this league," said Pollock. "Blake is an emotional player and he leads with his emotion and I think our team feeds off that. When you play big minutes like he does, you have to be a leader."
His leadership on the Pontiacs led him to be chosen to wear the captain's 'C' during the
Jan. 28 game against Brooks, stepping in for injured co-captain Kevin Carthy. Leask said wearing the 'C' was an honour and a privilege.
"It's a lot of responsibility and something you don't take lightly."
