Sixth round, 178th overall: Zachary Leslie
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
DOB: 1/31/94
Height: 6’0
Weight: 172
Birthplace: Ottawa, ON
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 146 (North American skaters)
NHL Central Scouting midterm ranking: NR
Stats (OHL-Guelph): 68 GP, 12-28=40; 58 PIM
This is Leslie’s second year of being draft eligible. He joins Guelph Storm teammate Justin Auger as a 2013 Los Angeles draftee. In addition to Leslie and Auger, Jason Dickinson (Dallas), Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit) and Ben Harpur (Ottawa) were also selected on Sunday. Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown are Guelph alumni.
From the Guelph Mercury in December, 2012:
I don’t know if he’s way ahead of where we thought he’d be, but he’s way ahead of where he was last year,” Storm coach Scott Walker said of the 18-year-old Leslie.
“Honestly, overall and consistency-wise, Leslie has probably been our best or one of our best defencemen, and I don’t mean any respect to Matt Finn or Andrey Pedan because I think they are two of the best in our league,” Walker said.
“He’s a very smart hockey player and is working harder than he ever has. He’s winning battles.”
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