#72 – Goaltender Brett Leggat
1. Looking back on your 6 seasons with the Blast, what would you say the 3 most memorable times are?
I have thoroughly enjoyed being with the Blast for the six seasons that I have played with them. It’s hard to narrow it down to 3 memorable times, however there are a few that definitely stick out in my mind. The first memory was my very first game in this league. I had taken a couple of years off of serious ice hockey and focused purely on roller hockey until Peter Ham convinced me to come back and give it a try. Putting on the Blast jersey and stepping on the ice in front of my family was definitely special to me.
Back when our league hosted an All-Star game it was an honour to play in that game as well. It’s a great experience to play with guys you battle against all season and get to know them off of the ice. Friendships are made and the quality of that game is really exceptional.
My most recent and perhaps most memorable memory has to be winning back to back championships in the past two seasons. Winning it on home ice this year was such an amazing feeling, to be able to win it in front of our loyal and amazing fans was really nice. They really are great supporters of us and it means a ton to us having them support us as well as they do.
2.What team do you look forward to playing against each season and why?
Because our league has so few teams in it in recent years its hard to pick one really. I think the Brantford / Dundas rivalry has to be the most exciting and every game has a ‘playoff’ feeling to it, however when you play a team 8 times in the regular season it sometimes wears on you. I really enjoy the games against the Whitby Dunlops, they are such a talented team and incredibly classy.
That’s a tough one! I honestly could get stuck with any of the boys and be ok, but if I had to narrow it down to three it would be Bryan Hamm because he’s a good friend, and if we were stranded he’d be pretty good security! The other two I would take would be my second cousin Jamie Williams and then the Spurr Brothers (I’m counting them as one).
We actually have a bunch of guys who are just hilarious on the team, but if I was to pick just one I’d probably say Jankus. I’d also throw an honorable mention to Rebernik for this one.
5.Does one player stick out from around the league last season that always seemed to have your number, and if so who?
I’m not sure! I’d have to check some game sheets! haha.
Nobody really sticks out from what I can remember, but I think the two guys that you have to keep your eye on out there would be Nick Smith (Dundas) and Pete Mackellar (Whitby).
6.What about this team/league has made you want to keep coming back year after year?
It’s really an easy decision for me to keep coming back to Brantford. Peter Ham is an absolute amazing owner and he treats each and every player with the utmost respect and admirability. On top of that, the majority of the players on the team are my really good friends. Most of us even hang out in the summer so it’s always nice to be able to play with friends. Thirdly, the city of Brantford is a fantastic place to play. Again, the fans are incredible and its a pleasure to play for them.
All time favourite food would be tacos with plenty of hot sauce and jalapenos!
8.You have won a lot of hardware the last several years from Top Goalie at the 2014 Inline Worlds, to Top Goalie in the ACH in back to back years to gold, silver and bronze medals at the IIHF Inline Hockey Worlds and Robertson Cup Championships. Which single award/Championship sticks out the most and why?
That’s tough! I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have success throughout my career, but I think the one championship that probably sticks out the most to me would be the 2012 IIHF World Inline hockey championship. To be representing our great country on the world stage and to be a world champion is such an honour, and something that very few people get to do in any sport.
9.A few years ago you had the opportunity to be a back up for a game with the Connecticut Whale, what was that experience like?
It was actually a great experience for me. Unfortunately it affected my eligibility in Allan Cup Hockey which I didn’t agree with but rules are rules! Being able to skate with the Whale that day and warm up down at Copps Coliseum where I grew up watching hockey was really exciting. I was hoping that I would get in the pipes but unfortunately it never happened!
10.You’ve been quite the fan favourite the last few years, even winning the first ever Blast Fan Favourite award earlier this summer, what do you have to say to your biggest fans and supporters out there in Blast Nation?
Anyone that knows me knows that I really try to interact with our great fans. After almost every game I can be found outside our dressing room chatting with fans, signing autographs and taking pictures with them. I love meeting kids who play the game and look up to us as fans. I loved getting autographs when I was young and I try to give as much back to the game and the community as I possibly can. Being named fan favorite was very humbling. I give it my all out there every game for our fans and teammates and to be rewarded with that title was something very special to me.