Sports Series: Former NHL star hoping to resume his appearances in 2021
By Sam Laskaris
AUNDECK OMNI KANING FIRST NATION –Reggie Leach, 70, prefers maintaining a hectic schedule, travelling across the country as a motivational speaker.
Leach, a former National Hockey League (NHL) star, is also a frequent guest instructor at Shoot To Score Hockey, a Winnipeg-based hockey school owned by his son Jamie, also a former NHLer.
Shoot To Score Hockey, which was founded in 2003, offers hockey training and camps throughout North America. But due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Leach has stayed relatively close to his home on Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island for the remainder of 2020.
“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Leach explains.
Leach was born in the Manitoba community of Riverton and is a member of the Berens River First Nation in Manitoba. And because of his reputation for possessing a lethal shot, he earned the nickname the Riverton Rifle. He has lived in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation for the past 13 years.
Leach had numerous highlights throughout his pro career, including being a member of the 1975 Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers.
Leach also made it back to the NHL finals the following year. Even though the Flyers were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens in that series, Leach captured the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the most valuable playoff performer that spring, racking up 24 points including 19 goals in 16 games.
Though he was best known for his days with the Flyers, Leach, who appeared in 1,028 NHL games, also had stints with the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals and Detroit Red Wings.
Simply making it to the NHL was another thrill for Leach.
“Getting drafted in 1970 by the Boston Bruins and playing with Bobby Orr— the greatest player of all-time— was a highlight,” he said.
Though he has kept in close contact with many of his former pro teammates, Leach said Orr is not one of them.
“We had a reunion about 12 years ago for the 1976 Team Canada,” Leach said. “That was the last time I saw him in person.”
Leach does get a huge kick though when he is able to meet young fans.
“I like being around the kids and seeing how they react to you, especially in places like up north in Nunavut,” he said.
During his appearances, Leach is often candid about his own life story, which is also detailed in his book, The Riverton Rifle: Straight Shooting on Hockey and on Life, released in 2015.
In his book, Leach describes the poverty and racism he faced while growing up and the hockey successes he had. He also provides details on his excessive drinking, which led to him attending rehab and now a life of sobriety.
Leach does not mind opening up about his life stories during his talks.
“I really enjoy it,” he said. “Most of my speeches across the country are about life choices.”
This story is part of an Anishinabek News series, written by Sam Laskaris, profiling former athletes with Anishinabek ties.