Brendan Leipsic

Canadian-Russian ice hockey player

Ice hockey player

Brendan Leipsic

Leipsic with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018

Born|  (1994-05-19) May 19, 1994 (age 31)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height|  5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight|  180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position|  Left wing
Shoots|  Left
KHL team
Former teams|  Sibir Novosibirsk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vegas Golden Knights
Vancouver Canucks
Los Angeles Kings
Washington Capitals
CSKA Moscow
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
SKA Saint Petersburg
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
NHL draft|  89th overall, 2012
Nashville Predators
Playing career|  2014–present

Brendan Leipsic (born May 19, 1994) is a Canadian-Russian professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Leipsic was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round (89th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

After stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings, he was signed by the Washington Capitals to a one-year, $700,000 contract on July 1, 2019.[2] During the indefinite suspension of league play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Leipsic was the subject of controversy after a conversation on Leipsic's private Instagram account was leaked to the public. In response to his conduct, on May 8, 2020, the Capitals placed Leipsic on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his contract.[3] Leipsic cleared waivers the following day and his contract was terminated.

Following his termination from the Capitals, Leipsic moved to Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League. After three years in the country, Leipsic requested and was granted Russian citizenship on July 12, 2023.[4]

## Personal

[edit]

Leipsic was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is Jewish.[5][6][7] His mother Kathleen was a gymnast who was an alternate for Canada at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and his father Greg was a high school running back.[8] His brother Jeremey led the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in scoring in 2016/17 following which he played for the University of Manitoba Bisons hockey team; as well as a sister, Emma, who was an international gymnast.[9]

## Playing career

[edit]

### Junior

[edit]

Leipsic played in the WHL from the 2010–11 season. He was a member of Canada's National Junior Team for the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge.[10]

In the 2012–13 season with the Portland Winterhawks, Leipsic scored 120 points in 68 games to win the CHL Top Scorer Award as the highest-scoring player in the Canadian Hockey League.[11]

### National Hockey League

[edit]

#### Nashville Predators

[edit]

Leipsic at the 2015 AHL All-Star Game.

Leipsic was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third-round (89th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[1] On May 23, 2013, the Predators signed Leipsic to a three-year entry-level contract.[12]

Leipsic was assigned to the Predators AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals to begin his first professional season in 2014–15. He led the Admirals in rookie scoring with 36 points in 47 games.

#### Toronto Maple Leafs

[edit]

On February 15, 2015, the Predators traded Leipsic along with Olli Jokinen and Nashville's 2015 first round draft pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a package deal for Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli.[13] Leipsic played an important role down the stretch in helping the Toronto Marlies (a team that struggled to score early in the year) reach the post-season.

Leipsic began the 2015–16 season with the Marlies, and would play there for most of the year. However, in February 2016, the Maple Leafs lineup was depleted due to injuries. Wanting to allow younger players to remain in the AHL and develop, Toronto initially called up older veterans.

When injury struck again however, Leipsic was called up on February 13, 2016, in reward for his strong play, along with Jeremy Morin, both on an emergency basis.[14] Leipsic made his debut the same night, in a road game against the Vancouver Canucks, and scored his first NHL goal midway through the second period, batting a flying puck out of mid-air and past goaltender Ryan Miller.[15] The reaction of Leipsic's parents, who were in attendance and flew last minute to the game, garnered much media attention.[15] Leipsic became the first Maple Leafs' player to score a goal in his NHL debut since Nikolay Kulemin in 2008. Leipsic was sent back to the Marlies shortly after his debut.

#### Vegas Golden Knights

[edit]

On June 21, 2017, Leipsic was left exposed at the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights.[16] He signed a two-year $1.3 million contract in July 2017.[17]

#### Vancouver Canucks

[edit]

On February 26, 2018, Leipsic was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Philip Holm.[18]

#### Los Angeles Kings

[edit]

In the 2018–19 season, on December 3, 2018, Leipsic was placed on waivers by the Canucks and claimed by the Los Angeles Kings.[19]

#### Washington Capitals

[edit]

Leipsic with the Capitals in February 2020

Leipsic was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Kings and was released as a free agent on June 25, 2019.[20] He was signed by the Washington Capitals to a one-year, $700,000 contract on July 1, 2019.[2] In the 2019–20 season, Leipsic remained on the Capitals roster for opening night. In a depth forward role, Leipsic registered 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 61 games, before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### Kontinental Hockey League

[edit]

#### HC CSKA Moscow

[edit]

Leipsic’s contract with the Capitals was terminated in May 2020 due to a disrespectful private group chat was leaked in which he insulted women and his teammates. Leipsic opted to resume his career by agreeing to a one-year contract with the Russian club, HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL, on August 4, 2020.[21] In the 2020–21 season, he posted 11 goals and 24 points in 42 regular season games along with 8 points in 16 playoff games.

#### Metallurg Magnitogorsk

[edit]

On May 7, 2021, Leipsic was traded by CSKA to Metallurg Magnitogorsk in exchange for the rights to Lias Andersson, and immediately signed a two-year contract with the club. He participated in the 2021–22 playoffs, despite the exit of many North American-born players and two of the KHL's non-Russia-based teams due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[22]

#### SKA Saint Petersburg

[edit]

On June 23, 2023, Leipsic continued his tenure in the KHL by signing as a free agent to a two-year contract with perennially contending club, SKA Saint Petersburg.[23] In the 2023–24 season, Leipsic was largely plagued through injury and he posted just 2 assists through 19 regular season games.

#### Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg

[edit]

Leipsic tenure with SKA ending after a lone season and on May 31, 2024, he was signed to a two-year contract with his fourth KHL club, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.[24]

#### Sibir Novosibirsk

[edit]

On December 21, 2024, Leipsic was traded from Avtomobilist to his fifth KHL club, HC Sibir Novosibirsk in exchange for the KHL rights to Finnish centre Janne Kuokkanen in a move that helped Avtomobilist "comply with the salary cap."[25]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### Regular season and playoffs

[edit]

|   | Regular season |   | Playoffs

|
|
|
|

Season | Team  | League  | GP  | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP  | G  | A  | Pts  | PIM
2010–11 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 68 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 50 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14
2011–12 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 65 | 28 | 30 | 58 | 82 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 28
2012–13 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 68 | 49 | 71 | 120 | 103 | 21 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 41
2013–14 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 60 | 39 | 52 | 91 | 111 | 20 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 49
2014–15 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 47 | 7 | 29 | 36 | 16 | — | — | — | —  | —
2014–15 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 27 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14
2015–16 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 65 | 20 | 34 | 54 | 55 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12
2015–16 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 6  | 1  | 2  | 3  | 2  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2016–17 | Toronto Marlies  | AHL  | 49  | 18  | 33  | 51  | 30  | 11  | 4  | 1  | 5  | 21
2017–18 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL  | 44  | 2  | 11  | 13  | 4  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2017–18  | Vancouver Canucks | NHL  | 14  | 3  | 6  | 9  | 10  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2018–19 | Vancouver Canucks  | NHL  | 17  | 2  | 3  | 5  | 2  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2018–19  | Los Angeles Kings | NHL  | 45  | 5  | 13  | 18  | 22  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2019–20 | Washington Capitals | NHL  | 61  | 3  | 8  | 11  | 13  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2020–21 | CSKA Moscow | KHL | 42  | 11  | 13  | 24  | 20  | 16  | 3  | 5  | 8  | 6
2021–22 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | KHL  | 46  | 16  | 19  | 35  | 18  | 24  | 11  | 9  | 20  | 10
2022–23 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk  | KHL  | 65  | 11  | 33  | 44  | 28  | 11  | 2  | 9  | 11  | 4
2023–24 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL  | 19  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 6  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
2024–25 | Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg | KHL  | 25  | 6  | 1  | 7  | 4  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
2024–25  | Sibir Novosibirsk | KHL  | 29  | 6  | 11  | 17  | 2  | 7  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 2
NHL totals  | 187  | 16  | 43  | 59  | 53  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
KHL totals  | 226  | 52  | 79  | 131  | 78  | 60  | 16  | 23  | 39  | 22

### International

[edit]

Year  | Team  | Event  | Result  |   | GP  | G  | A  | Pts  | PIM

|
|
|
|
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|
|

2011 | Canada Western  | U17 | 6th  | 5  | 3  | 2  | 5  | 6
Junior totals  | 5  | 3  | 2  | 5  | 6

## Awards and honors

[edit]

Award  | Year  |

|
|

CHL
Top Scorer Award | 2012–13 | [26]

## See also

[edit]

* List of select Jewish ice hockey players

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Two Jewish players chosen at NHL entry draft". cjnews.com. June 27, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
2. ^ a b "Capitals sign Brendan Leipsic". Washington Capitals. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
3. ^ "Capitals Statement on Brendan Leipsic". NHL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
4. ^ "Controversial Former NHL Forward Granted Russian Citizenship". hockeypatrol.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
5. ^ "Brendan Leipsic named Jewish athlete of the year". thehockeywriters.com. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
6. ^ "Welcome to the show Brendan Leipsic". njjewishnews.com. February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.[permanent dead link]
7. ^ Lungen, Paul; Reporter, Staff (May 22, 2019). "Canadian Jews are more accomplished at sport than you'd think".
8. ^ "Minor Leaguers play as NHL lockout lingers". cjnews.com. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
9. ^ "Team Canada summer camp media guide" (PDF). cdn.agilitycms.com. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
10. ^ "2013 NT Summer Camp media guide" (PDF). Hockey Canada. April 5, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
11. ^ "Preds prospect Brendan Leipsic finishes as leading scorer in all of major junior…". March 18, 2013.
12. ^ "Predators sign Leipsic". Nashville Predators. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
13. ^ "Leafs trade Santorelli, Franson to Predators". MapleLeafsHotStove.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
14. ^ "Leafs recall Leipsic, Morin on emergency basis". TSN. February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
15. ^ a b "Brendan Leipsic scores winner in NHL debut as Maple Leafs beat Canucks". CBC Sports. February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
16. ^ "Maple Leafs lose Leipsic in Vegas expansion draft". Toronto Sun. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
17. ^ "Vegas Signs Forward Brendan Leipsic and Defenseman Griffin Reinhart". NHL.com. Vegas: Vegas Golden Knights. July 15, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
18. ^ "Canucks acquire Leipsic from Golden Knights". NHL.com. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
19. ^ "Kings claim former Leafs Leipsic". The Sports Network. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
20. ^ "Kings don't qualify Leipsic". lakingsinsider.com. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
21. ^ "Washington Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic joins CSKA" (in Russian). HC CSKA Moscow. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
22. ^ "Game Summary: 03.03.2022 Metellurg Mg vs Barys". KHL. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
23. ^ SKA Saint Petersburg (June 23, 2023). "Brendan Leipsic is in SKA!" (in Russian). Instagram. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
24. ^ "Brendan Leipsic becomes an Avtomobilist player" (in Russian). Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
25. ^ "Brendan Leipsic Moved In KHL Trade For Rights To Another Ex-NHLer". The Hockey News. December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
26. ^ "2012–13 Award Winners". Canadian Hockey League. May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database