Leisenring
wears No. 11 in honor of his friend, former Catamount
standout Ian Boyce.
Key
Statistics: Tied for the ECACHL lead in conference
scoring in 2003-04 while posting 15-21—36 overall totals.
He was a first-team All-ECACHL selection and the team's co-MVP.
Only appeared in six games last season before he was sidelined
with a recurring groin injury, but had 3-6—9 in that
limited action.
What
He Does: A team leader entering his third season
as an assistant captain, Leisenring became more of an assistant
coach after his injury last year, earning the nickname "Reggie
Dunlop" from teammates. More importantly, he's a tremendously
skilled player who will be the Catamounts' biggest offensive
threat the instant he returns to the ice.
The
Bigger Picture: While many teams aren't surprised
to see star players leave school after one, two or three years,
Vermont has the luxury of Leisenring's presence for an almost-unheard
of fifth year. Last year's six-game cameo doesn't count eligibility-wise,
giving him an extra season at what could be the perfect time
for the Catamounts. They are coming off a surprisingly successful
season, entering a new league, needing to replace Scott Mifsud's
scoring, and boasting a good balance of experience (captain
Jaime Sifers) and youth (Joe Fallon, Torrey Mitchell). Leisenring's
return is a big lift for a team that seems poised to challenge
for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Vermont
head coach Kevin Sneddon on Leisenring, when he was injured
last fall: “He’s an all-league player
and he provides a ton of offense. He’s certainly an
exciting, energetic player and that first line combination
[with Mifsud and now-sophomore Torrey Mitchell] had great
chemistry going.”
