By Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos play for the name on their backs, honour Leicht in win over MJ

Sep 22, 2018 | 4:48 PM

The Prince Albert Mintos aren’t retiring Jacob Leicht’s no. 11 jersey this year. Instead, they’re letting one of his friends proudly wear it.

Mintos forward Gavin Ingram will carry Leicht’s memory on his back for this season. Before Leicht lost his life in the Humboldt Broncos crash, the Ingram and Leicht both played their minor hockey in the Humboldt and skated with each other when they weren’t playing games. 

Before the season started on Saturday with a 6-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Generals, Ingram contacted Leicht’s mother Celeste and asked for her permission for the number. She was fully on board with the idea.

“It’s just a huge honour to wear Jacob’s number. It’s pretty big shoes to fill,” said Ingram, who hails from Quill Lake. “Me and Jacob, we skated together lots so I knew him pretty good. It’s an honour to carry that on.”

On Saturday, Ingram wasn’t the only one that paid a jersey tribute. The entire team did, as each player wore Leicht’s name bar above their numbers. It was the one game the Mintos coaching staff was okay with the team playing for the name on the back. 

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Mintos head coach Ken Morrison said that Leicht took pride in doing things most players hated. 

“He’s kind of a heart and soul guy. He didn’t say much, but on the ice he would just give’r,” Morrison said. “He did all the things a lot of guys didn’t want to do—block shots, kill penalties. I remember at the Mac’s tournament, he played great. He must have blocked… I don’t know how many shots. We should have kept track. He’s just a good kid all around, worked hard. Made the Broncos, deserved to make the Broncos with how he played with us.”

Some ex-Mintos that have moved on to other leagues are adopting the number as well. Humboldt’s Erik Gardiner will wear 11 for the Kelowna Rockets this year, changing it from his old 12. Kade McMillen will wear it as he will play his first full year with the Estevan Bruins in the SJHL.

“I think it’s kinda cool,” Morrison said.

A Minto memento

Thomas Schultz is involved with the Mintos opening ceremony in a number of ways. As a fire fighter out of Nipawin, he reported to the scene of the crash that evening and the following day.

“It was just… unreal. To see that bus the way it was—I saw the players, the ones that were laid to rest, on the side,” Schultz said. “One of my other firefighters showed me what was the front of the bus. There’s nothing left of it,” Schultz said.

But when Schultz isn’t fighting fires or saving lives, he makes bronze sculptures. Schultz crafted a bronze stick for the Leicht family after getting in touch with the Mintos. He presented the stick himself to the Leicht family at centre ice before Saturday’s game.

Including on the stick’s shaft is Leicht’s name and #11, where he would have written his name on the tape. On the blade, there’s the Mintos team logo beside the club’s slogan, “once a Minto, always a Minto.”

“It’s quite an honour to do something in return,” Schultz said. “Hopefully, they’ll keep it as a memento as time goes on.”

Mintos 6 Generals 3

Chase Bertholet scored on the Mintos’ first shot of the season 50 seconds into the game, and added another in the second period to lead the Mintos with a pair of goals. Those were his first two Midget AAA goals.

Mintos’ new sniper Dawson Springer also had a pair of goals. He picked up where he left off in the preseason, after leading the SMAAAHL with seven goals in exhibition action.

Gabe Klassen, who was a first round draft choice of the Portland Winterhawks, scored his first Midget AAA goal. Defenceman Turner McMillen also scored his first for the Mintos.

The Mintos will look to improve to 2-0, taking on the Swift Current Legionnaires on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW