One Carolina fan’s thoughts on Leighton: You just never know
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 6, 2010 12:40 AM EDT
25 comments
Last weekend, it was the end the First period, Game 1, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals in Chicago: Flyers vs Blackhawks. Flyers' goalie Michael Leighton skates to the dressing room with a 3-2 lead, while NBC's Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury chat intermission hockey fluff with Ryan Miller, the Team USA hero and MVP of the 2010 Olympic games and now a 2010 Vezina nominee. Really. These are not the playoff roles foretold for Leighton or Miller by any followers of NHL hockey only the month before.
Like many Carolina Hurricanes fans, I find the spotlight suddenly shining so brightly on Michael Leighton to be just a tad difficult to get my brain around. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not that he doesn’t deserve it, it’s just… I guess I never saw it coming. Having considered Leighton as one of "our own", from the time he was signed and played for the Albany River Rats in the 2007-08 season, we Caniacs have followed him more closely than most hockey fans over these three years (which is evidenced daily by the dozens of articles in the national hockey press, repeating the tale of his roller coaster career).
Here in Raleigh, we remember how, back in April 2008, Leighton was the #1 goalie for the Albany River Rats as they faced the Philadelphia Phantoms in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. With the series tied at two games apiece, Game 5 was played in Albany on April 25, 2008. That was the one for the record books, and was Leighton’s claim to fame until last month in Boston. That was the game where Leighton faced an astounding 101 shots, saving 98 of them, in the five-overtime losing effort that was featured on ESPN. Never had an AHL goalie faced that many shots, made that many saves nor had an AHL playoff game gone that long. Here’s the re-cap.
The following summer Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford signed Leighton to a one-way NHL contract to become Cam Ward’s back-up. Do you remember how he did quite well the first several weeks under Laviolette – as Ward’s consistency and confidence actually seemed to be the shakier of the two? Fast forward one year, and Leighton had played so little and his performance record was so erratic, it was not shocking to anyone tracking the team when he was put on waivers in December 2009. He was of course subsequently picked up by the Philadelphia Flyers, when injuries to their goalies left them scrambling for a #2 – and besides, with cap issues looming, Leighton’s price on re-entry waivers was tough to beat.
This spring, the saga of Leighton as a Philly Phenom has been building weekly since Brian Boucher went down awkwardly in a collision in Boston during Game 5 of the Flyer’s second round series vs the Bruins. Two weeks later, in the third round vs the Montreal Canadiens, Game 5 saw the Flyers and Michael Leighton winning the Eastern Conference Championship (for the Flyers, a first since 1997) and earning a date with the Blackhawks to battle for the Cup.
Tonight is another Game 5 with Leighton in goal, this one to be played in Chicago on the biggest stage in the game.
Of course, this kind of thing doesn't happen often. Seriously, that's my point. How does this happen? The combination of skill and effort, size and strength, discipline and commitment, patience and optimism, and, it seems, even happenstance go into making the difference between reaching the pinnacle of success in the sport, and merely fading away into anonymity. I am reminded that luck is often a result of being prepared to seize the moment when opportunities present themselves. I say: Good on Michael Leighton.
Who was there?
But what happened to all those teammates of Leights', whose names are listed on the gamesheet from April 25, 2008 in Albany? Given the unexpected turns of Leighton's professional life since that game, I decided to do a little web surfing on his nineteen fellow River Rats, who also lasted through 5 ½ hours of playoff hockey in the 5-OT game in 2008.
First off, you'll enjoy these video highlights from ESPN of the game: VIDEO: Losing goalie makes 98 saves in five-OT AHL playoff game - ESPN. See how many names you recognize on the Rats jerseys.
Michael Leighton takes a break at the bench in Albany, 2008. Justin Peters, Jakub Petruzalek, Brett Carson are also shown. (Photo by Sandpiper.)
Where are they now?
Here's the rundown on the status of those other nineteen River Rats:
2009-10 Hurricanes - 4 players: Brandon Sutter, Patrick Dwyer, Brett Carson, Bryan Rodney. Carson and Rodney are RFAs, and while Rutherford has made statements suggesting Carson will remain with Carolina next season, Rodney's future is less certain.
2009-10 River Rats (now the Charlotte Checkers) - 5 players: Mike Angelidis, Jakub Petruzalek, Jerome Samson, Nicolas Blanchard, Brett Bellemore, and Justin Peters. Samson and goalie Peters both saw some time with the NHL club this season. Peters' name is in the conversation, with veteran Manny Legace's, to be Ward's back up next season.
Those with other North American minor league teams - 5 players: Trevor Gillies (Bridgeport/NY Islanders), Jamie Johnson (Rochester/Florida Panthers), Joey Mormina (Adirondack/Philadelphia Flyers), Marc Cavosie (Lake Erie - AHL/ Reading Royals - ECHL).
The fifth name in this category is Steve Ward, who spent the last two seasons in the ECHL. Our Charlotte readers can tell you with which team: he's been playing effectively on the blueline right here in North Carolina, with the Checkers. No word on where he goes from here.
Playing in Europe - 4 players: Ben Cottreau (Germany - Hannover Scorpions) and Kiel McLeod (the Blue Jackets' 2nd round pick in 2001 is now playing for Austria's EC-VSV ). Corrected status: Jakub Petruzalek, (Finland - Lukko Rauma, SM-Liiga)
One player's name shows up on this roster who played with the ECHL Florida Everblades for the entire 2007-08 season. David Cornacchia was called up just for the post-season. A couple months later, in July 2008, he was tried and convicted in Florida for an altercation on an American Airlines flight that occurred in December 2007, and sentenced to one year in prison. With that behind him, he now plays in the Netherlands for the Tillburg Trappers.
The only name not accounted for: Joe Jensen. He also played 6 games for the Hurricanes in 07-08, and was with the Rats for 32 games in 2008-09. His whereabouts at this time is an online mystery - his career stats on all hockey sites seem to end a year ago. (At the risk of sounding like your high school reunion chairman, if you know where Jensen is now, please share!) [UPDATE from the devoted Albany fans: Jensen suffered a concussion in the bus crash of February 2009, and this past season was spent recovering from the injury.]
A few more names
I came across a few other players who were with the Rats that year, contributing to the Rats season, even if they didn't play in that April 25th game. Two years later, here are a couple men whose stories help fill out the possibilities and the disappointments.
Noah Babin, the undrafted Notre Dame Defenseman, was sent down from the Rats to the Everblades and, after doing some additional studies through the business school at his alma mater, is now a financial advisor in Palm Beach. He's even on Linkedin.
And remember Brandon Nolan? Like another kid named Brandon on the Rats roster that year, he is also the son of a former NHL player and coach; in this case, Ted Nolan. The 2007-08 season was a breakout year for Nolan, who also saw 6 games up with the Canes in January. In his 48 games with the Rats, he put up a corresponding 48 points, so that in January of 2008, he was featured here at NHL.com. His future seemed bright. Then, as best as I can determine, after he suffered a concussion during a game in February 2008, he has never played professional hockey again. Another example of how an instant can change a life forever. Those "what if..." tag lines on the History-will-be-made ad series could also find some singular moments in hockey that are nothing short of heart breakers.
Reunion thoughts
So imagine these twenty or so guys gathering together at a "Rats 5OT" reunion - maybe at a nice hotel up in Albany this July, with Michael Leighton as the guest of honor, the one who is (at least for now) living the dream. They might recall that strange, historic five-hour game in Albany - barely two years ago - that they all shared. And then, as one does at reunions, they might ask each other about their lives since then, and remark how their careers have scattered in so many directions.
That is the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up plot line of so many professional hockey players which is part of what makes sports so appealing, unpredictable and so engaging. Sometimes it seems unfair, and sometimes richly deserved. The odds are so long, the climb is so hard and yet we watch, inspired, as even the guys who were never on anyone's Top-10 List of Teenagers on Draft Day can rise, somehow, to the NHL's A-list when all is said and done.
It makes me wonder which of the 2010-11 Checkers will have an amazing story that we'll watch with pride and awe when we look back in 2013. You just never know, do you?
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GREAT article on Leighton!
A couple of updates, last I heard Joe Jensen had taken a year off because he was still having concussion side effects from the bus accident last season – http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=518035
As for Brandon Nolan, he did suffer a concussion. He’s now retired and a board member for the Ted Nolan Foundation. I know he missed a large chunk of the 07/08 season with a concussion and didn’t play 08/09.
PS – Those of us in Albany who sat through the 5 OT game are not at all surprised by Leighton’s play in the playoffs ;-)
Great effort here HM2
And Steve (aka esteban1949) also thanks sandpiper214 for her behind the scenes back up not only with the info she posted, but also for her efforts in the last 2-3 seasons there in Albany…i hope a deal with Lowell can be made so Albany can have a good & soldid team for the fan base there to support…and as far as Michael Leighton goes…to coin a phrase my grandma used to say " who da thought ? " while many here on CC don’t like many of the “players” ( thugs ) on the Flyers team and are pulling for the “Hawks”…and even though that is the cityof my birth and had many many wonderful memories of watching many games there in old Chicago Stadium…i an now out of the ‘closet’ and pulling for the flyers for 2 reasons…A: because they are an eastern conference team..B: Because Leighton & Lavi are both there…and after the series iis over…I’ll go back to being " normal " () Thanks again ladies…thois fan bows himbly out of thanks and respect for your efforts…enjoy your day today…
Go Canes & Checkers !! …who da thought ? hehehe
Freedom Isn't Free, Someone Paid For It !
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
Awesome article!
Nice jab at Miller, there :) who would’ve predicted that particular sequence of events indeed.
As I recall, a few months ago, people were discussing the idea that Leighton performed best when pushed, and when given the opportunity to prove himself. The current plan of starting Ward absolutely all the time doesn’t allow that dynamic at all, and to a certain extent it seemed to be a self-fulfilling prophecy; Leighton wasn’t ever going to prove himself as a bona fide NHL player without the ice time, and the ice time wasn’t going to come until he’d unseated Ward, a difficult task for anyone, not even considering the confidence that Barrasso and Co. have in him. (If you want to call it “confidence,” but that’s an entirely different discussion.) It’s like our very own Dryden- Larocque conundrum! Without anyone called “Bunny” that is. Leighton obviously has skill, but I do think that Philadelphia has lucked into the perfect dynamic for him, rather than merely unveiling some secret talent.
Great find with the video, and the investigation on where all those players are now. It’s probably unlucky to say, but both teams from that series seem to have developed a number of rather good players. Three cheers for the AHL, and all that.
Welcome to the site mzy!
It's gonna be a long summer.
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 6, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I Know I'm Wrong, but I don't care
I know it’s wrong to feel this way, but I don’t want to see Leighton win the Cup in Philly. I try to rationalize that its because I so dislike the Flyers (they took that traitor Keith Primeau, after all), but for me it comes back to how miserable we were suffering through this past horrible November and how many of those games came down to Leighton’s nerves turning to jelly time after time after time. Even when we won (the 5-4 Saturday afternoon win against the Wild comes to mind), he made us sweat them out. I know some of you will say bad sport, but all I can say is Go Hawks!!
by Transplanted to Tenn on Jun 6, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions
I completely understand that feeling too. For me it’s part of the revelation (or confirmation) of how mental this game is; how a coach and circumstances can transform a player’s status so profoundly. All in public view.
I guess that’s the “hard to get my brain around” part. It seems relevant with all the hoopla over the draft too. The formula for success is so complicated.
It's gonna be a long summer.
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 6, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree about how fascinating it is that the ephmeral nature of confidence, both individual and group, plays such a critical role in a high-speed game where talent is fine-tuned down to the elite of the sport.
It is why my reign as GM would be known for acquiring the best sports psychologist available for the org. Best dollar value possible. Makes everyone better. One-on-ones, small group chats, management-only sessions.
Every player should be issued a video file of their compiled best moments. Show them where they succeed (point-blank, Staal, not from 30 feet out). Positive imagery. Positive environment. Positive results.
The Infamous Leighton Meltdown
I feel sorry for Leighton on a number of different levels. His assertion that he was not given a fair shot in Carolina really disturbed me. Leighton was given a full and fair opportunity – just as Peters was given a fair shot. The fact that Leighton tried to blame the Canes organization when things started going well for him was offensive to me.
I was waiting to see the infamous Leighton meltdown and Leighton did not disappoint. It isn’t that Leighton is without talent. To the contrary, he has all the physical tools to be at least a back-up goalie. What Leighton lacks is the mindset of a winner. I am convinced Tom Barrasso realized that Leighton would never have the spine to win games during money time, and shipped him out. The Blackhawks owe Leighton a debt of gratitude because if Leighton had only been passable, the Flyers might well have taken the series into game 7.
I suspect the Flyers will take a pass on Leighton, although Laviolette is a very, very loyal person and may well press to have Leighton retained. Because I dislike the Flyers intensely, I am hoping the Flyers sign Leighton to a multi-year contract; and like Lucy with the football, Leighton continues to break their hearts.
A lot more stories on his future now. Here’s one from NHL.com this morning with the Flyers saying they have confidence in him.
Love him or hate him, it’s a really fascinating story.
It's gonna be a long summer.
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 12, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
AH what could have been… @ Transplanted, yes it easy to see why you feel that way, but! in Carolina Leighton had A.Ward, in front of him. In Philly he has Pronger, Richards, etc some of the more elite players in the league…and in the PO’s playing for a team with confidence and Momentum is a lot different that having a group of players in front of you questioning every move and having absolutely no cohesiveness. The Canes of November were a minor league team in their heads, and on the ice. If Cam Ward does not come out strong the first part of this coming season again we will be saying AH WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Leighton is a good goalie, elite… not so much, but that could also change over time. Do I want to see him raise the cup..Not a chance, because that would mean Pronger, Briere, Carcillo and Hartnell will also do it. That is one sight I can do without.. GO HAWKS!
Petruzalek?
Jakub Petruzalek darted off to Finland last season. Is he coming back or something?
by CarolinaHurricanes85 on Jun 6, 2010 1:10 PM EDT reply actions
re: Petruzalek
You’re right. I coulda sworn I had to spell his name in a couple Rats-related pieces this year – and I didn’t double check. Was he at camp in September? He was in Europe, playing for Lukko Rauma of SM-Liiga, the top league in Finland.
Thanks for the pick-up.
It's gonna be a long summer.
Kudos
What a terrific Sunday afternoon read!
Thanks for all the research and the well-told sharing of the results.
As always, excellent work!
As far as Leighton’s confidence, I think the answer is pretty simple: he went from a team with no identity (or one in transition) to a defensively sound team. Then, with the boost he got from an organization who actually WANTED him, all he had to do was play well, which we have seen him do at times.
From the media’s point of view: if he was a Hurricanes/River Rat, they don’t care – he’s a no-body. Now that he’s a Flyer, he’s important and his success is news worthy.
Chicago vs Philadelphia? I wish they could both lose.
leighton also has a better defense in front of him.
you could have bricked the whole goalmouth and still the other teams would have scored
with the last years defense.
they didn’t clear the zone properly.
nor were they positionally sound.
BOB, come up with a list of games were we lost when we had a lead going into the third period.
i betcha it would’ve been enough games/points for us to make the playoffs last year despite our 14 game winless streak.
zippy8/jej/jack
Maurice under utilized Leighton
The fact is, Maurice is at fault for Leighton’s failure as a Hurricane. In the beginning of the season he got almost no playing time, even in back to back situations.
Cam of course was over played. Cams a great goalie, but why try to have him start 75 games a season!
After keeping Leighton on the bench for weeks, Maurice decided to start him the day after his wife gave birth to their first child, seemed like he was set up for failure by Maurice.
Answer me something if you would please, because this always bothers me.
What role do you think Tom Barrasso plays in all those decisions? He’s the goalie coach. He seems to have a good read on the status of the goalies. He certainly doesn’t seem like a shrinking violet when it comes to making his opinion known.
So, do you think he just sits back and lets Maurice make all the decisions about who is the best goalie to start a game? Do you think Maurice chooses who he wants and rides the goalies hard without input from Barrasso or consideration of his opinion?
I’n genuinely curious about this. Folks seem to unilaterally blame Maurice for goalie decisions, yet Barrasso doesn’t even get mentioned. Why is that?
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by LTD on Jun 7, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Because Maurice is the head coach and is responsible for determining who will play and who will not play.
Barrasso’s responsibility would be to coach the goalies and improve their game.
Gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I was under the mistaken impression that the person who played the position and whose responsibility to coach the goalies and improve their game might have a little input into who’s hot, who’s not, who needs a rest, and who needs a start. Guess not.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I’m with you LTD. I still remember at the practice in November, the one where Legace appeared, when Barrasso stayed out afterwards and spoke with Leights for at least 10 minutes on the ice – all the other players were back in the room. It was not coaching the position, but more of a serious conversation. The body language made it look like they were both a little uncomfortable, though not unfriendly.
It's gonna be a long summer.
Greatly executed and awesome idea. One thing worth noting …. a few guys need to be signed to be w/ Charlotte next season. I imagine Peters and Samson will be, but Angelides and Blanchard might be up in the air.
Thanks, Cory! High praise since this is really your expertise. I do think it’s more than about Leighton, but the other 19 + 2 guys.
The Hurricanes make these signing decisions, yes? I wonder if they’ll approach this (and the 2 you’ve mentioned) differently, what with the Checkers closer, or if nothing changes with the new proximity -coupled with the semi-rebuild.
It's gonna be a long summer.
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