Raider forward Brett Leason showcases his physical abilities at the 2019 NHL Combine in Buffalo, NY. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Trevor Redden

Prospect Prep

Combine complete, draft ahead for Leason

Jun 4, 2019 | 2:00 PM

With the 2019 NHL Combine now behind him, Prince Albert Raiders forward Brett Leason will finally have time to take a breath after a jam-packed season.

One of the biggest surprises in the junior hockey world this year was the breakout performance from the 19-year-old Calgary native, who rattled off a 30-game point streak to start the season as he earned a spot with Team Canada at the World Junior tournament, putting himself firmly on the radar of NHL teams ahead of the upcoming draft.

Leason returned from the combine in Buffalo, NY on Sunday evening, and now finally has some free time before the NHL Draft in Vancouver on June 21 and 22.

It’s been a whirlwind year for the 6-4 forward, as he reported to Raider camp in late August, spent his holiday break in Vancouver with Team Canada, and headed to Buffalo for the combine just over a week after the season came to an end at the Memorial Cup in Halifax on May 21.

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As for the most recent milestone, Leason said he was pleased with how things went at the combine.

“I expected it to be challenging, with long days, and that’s exactly what it was. Testing went good I think, I didn’t have much time to train for that so I’m happy with the results I came out with,” Leason said.

He finished in the top 10 in four categories at the combine, as he was tied for fourth in pro agility to the right, tied for the strongest left-handed grip, tied for fourth for right-handed grip, and had the sixth-longest wingspan.

In addition to the physical testing, the annual prospect evaluation camp involves an intensive interview process as players sit down with the management, coaching, and scouting staffs of various teams around the league.

“The nerves were there for the first [interview], and then you kind of get used to it. Most of the guys are asking the same questions so you get used to it quick. Some rooms had three guys, some had 20, so you just have to interview like you always have.”

Ultimately, Leason will learn his NHL destination as soon as Friday, June 21 when the first round of the draft is held. Rated at 25 among draft-eligible North American skaters, he could hear his name called on opening night, but if that’s not the case he likely won’t be waiting long on Saturday morning.

Leason plans to attend the draft in person and looks forward to finding out where he is going, no matter when it happens.

“I don’t really have any expectations. Anything can happen on that day depending on what a team needs at the time. Wherever I get drafted, I get drafted, and you just carry on and go from there.”

Also rated for the draft is teammate Aliaksei Protas, who jumped from number 77 in January to 44 among North American skaters in the final rankings.

In his first season of WHL hockey, the Vitebsk, Belarus native finished seventh among all rookies with 40 points in 61 regular season games played. The 6-5 forward also finished fifth among all players league-wide with 22 points in 23 playoff games.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden