Leggio Heading to Finland
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David Leggio, a former Clarkson standout, has signed a one-year
contract with TPS Vladislav Koutsky of the SM-Liiga, the top
professional ice hockey league in Finland, the team announced June
4 on its Web site.
Leggio, 24, was the Florida Blades' top goalie last season,
helping the team to its second-ever East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)
regular-season championship with a 27-7-3 record and a 2.26
goals-against average. His performance earned him a spot in the
2008-09 ECHL All-Star Game.
"We know David's background and character very well. He is still young and an evolving goalkeeper," said the TPS player Coordinator Ari Vuori.
TPS's goalkeeper coach Urpo Ylönen said, "David is very
mobile, quick reflexes, within the goal, who plays the North
American style. His style will help facilitate the movement to the
larger ice surface. Above all, David is a goalkeeper who is willing
to do the work. He pays careful attention to his own work."
The 5-foot-11, 179-pound goalie was the Blades' only playoff goalie
during their run to the South Division Finals. Leggio went 6-2-3 in
the playoffs with a 2.45 goals-against average and a 0.885 save
percentage.
Prior to joining the Blades, Leggio played four seasons for ECAC
Hockey stalwart Clarkson University. He helped the Golden Knights
to an ECAC championship and top 25 ranking his senior year, with a
22-12-4 record and a 2.20 goals-against average.
Last week when the Blades released their protected list, Blades
coach Malcolm Cameron expressed doubts that Leggio would return to
the Blades. The Buffalo, N.Y., native signed a two-way AHL/ECHL
contract with the AHL's Albany River Rats last season. The River
Rats are one of the Blades' AHL affiliates.
