2019 NHL Draft Profile – Brett Leason

After going unselected in the past two drafts, 20-year-old Brett Leason turned heads this season with the Prince Albert Raiders, exploding to 36 goals and a team-leading 89 points. His play helped earn him a spot on Team Canada’s roster at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, where he put up five points in as many games. At season’s end – after helping the Raiders capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time in 34 years – Leason was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team. The Calgary native is the 25th-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.

Leason, who lines up at right-wing, describes himself as an offensive forward and compares his shot and strong 200-foot game to Dallas Stars captain and Kelowna Rockets graduate Jamie Benn. His offseason goal is to further improve his skating.

“He’s got a great stick and is especially effective on the forecheck,” writes Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino. “Not only can he finish, but (he) is an underrated playmaker.”