Colgate Adds to Class of 2013
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HAMILTON, N.Y. - Colgate men's hockey coach Don Vaughan wrapped up his 2009 recruiting class with the signing of Mike Leidl (Fort St. James, B.C./Vernon - BCHL) to an athletic grant in aid, it was announced Monday afternoon.
Leidl, a 6-2, 210-pound defenseman, split the 2008-09 campaign between two squads and ended the season with the Doyle Cup and Royal Bank Cup champion Vernon Vipers. Acquired by the Vipers from the Burnaby Express, the native of Fort St. James, B.C. tallied a goal and 15 assists in 55 regular-season games. Leidl, who served as the team captain at Burnaby prior to the trade, played in all 17 play-off games for Vernon and recorded 20 penalty minutes. Vernon swept a seven-game series versus Grand Prairie of the AJHL to win the Doyle Cup and advanced to the Royal Bank Cup, the Junior A National Championship. The Vipers won all four games, including a 2-0 triumph over Humboldt of the SJHL to claim the title.
In the 2007-08 campaign, Leidl skated for Quesnel Millionaires of the BCHL and tallied a goal, 12 helpers, and 136 penalty minutes in 58 contests. Leidl played his first three junior seasons for the Williams Lake Timberwolves and combined for three goals and 13 assists in 114 games.
"We are thrilled to have Mike on board," said Vaughan of his recent signee. "He comes from a winning program in Vernon and is fundamentally exceptional. Mike will add experience and a physical presence to our blue line."
Leidl becomes the eighth newcomer to the 2009-2010 Colgate roster, a list that includes Kurtis Bartliff (Clinton, Ont./Nanaimo - BCHL), Robbie Bourdon (Ile Bizard, Que./The Taft School), Thomas Larkin (Cocquio Trevisago, Italy/Phillips Exeter Academy), Christian Long (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Brockville - CJHL), Jeremy Price (Milton, Ont./Nepean - CJHL), Billy Rivellini (Great Falls, Va./Choate Rosemary Hall), and Nathan Sinz (Anchorage, Ak./Shattuck St. Mary's).
Colgate, 12-18-7 overall in 2008-09, opens the season with an exhibition October 3 versus the University of Waterloo. The Raiders' regular-season gets underway October 9 at Niagara.
