The Winnipeg ICE have bolstered their offence, adding veteran forward Jackson Leppard to the mix.
Leppard, 19, arrived to Winnipeg via trade from the Prince George Cougars Saturday afternoon, in exchange for forward Holden Kodak, defenceman Marco Creta, two third round draft selections (2021, 2022) as well as a conditional 2020 fifth round pick. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound product of North Vancouver went eighth overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
Since being selected by the Cougars, Leppard has suited up in 177 career WHL games over four seasons, putting up 28 goals and 70 points in the process. In 67 games for Prince George in 2018-19, the forward collected 10 goals and 29 points, while amassing 98 penalty minutes, adding to his career total of 219 minutes in penalties.
“Holden and Marco have been great teammates and competitors, we wish them well in Prince George.” said Winnipeg ICE GM Matt Cockell in a team-issued press release Saturday. “The addition of Jackson Leppard provides experience and depth to our forward group.”
Leppard has skated with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning in their 2018-19 training camp, following a 2016-17 season that saw the BC product suit up in six games for Canada at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Following Saturday’s series opener with Saskatoon, the ICE next see action just 24 hours later, as Winnipeg and the Blades do it all again from the Wayne Fleming Arena at the University of Manitoba. Once again, puck drop is set for 7:30 PM central.
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