EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard’s front office learned this weekend that forward Liam Leonard had earned a spot in the regular Acadie-Bathurst Titan line-up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
In his first season at junior level last year, former Blizzard No. 7 finished fifth among his teammates with 39 points (16g, 23a) in 48 games. In 17 playoff games, he tallied 3 goals and 10 assists. It’s no surprise that he was named the Blizzard’s rookie of the year. In addition, he earned the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s October 2017 rookie of the month award and a spot on the MHL All-Star Team at the end of the season.
“Liam provided great services to our team last season. He quickly adapted to the team as well as his new environment even though he was our most distant Canadian player (Clarenville, Newfoundland). We are very pleased with the progress he has made. It’s sad to see him leave, but it’s also gratifying to see that our organization is developing high quality players. We wish Liam a great stay at the junior major level and, who knows, maybe he will attract the attention of scouts of the NHL since he is an 18-year-old eligible for the next draft of the best league in the world, “explained Blizzard President André Lebel.
“My stay in Edmundston was great! The fans were amazing; the atmosphere at every game was incredible! I’m very thankful for my awesome billet family Kim and Derrick Cheeseman. They were fantastic all year long! The staff was great and teammates were great as well! Overall an awesome year! With that being said, I’m extremely excited to being wearing the Titan uniform this season and can’t wait to get things going in Bathurst!”
Leonard did not fill the score sheet in three exhibition games with the Titan in August. However, the 18-year-old center player won 56 percent of his faceoffs.
Liam Leonard was selected 116th overall by the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL draft in June 2016. At the MHL draft held in Miramichi in June 2017, the Blizzard selected Leonard in the first round (seventh overall) and he became the first-ever Blizzard drafted player. During the past season, his QMJHL’s rights were traded to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Story by Hugues Chiasson, vice president of communications for the Edmundston Blizzard.