9th year undrafted goalie David Leggio(73) played his first season after 4 years at Clarkson University on a minor league deal with Albany River Rats but spent most of his rookie campaign in the ECHL tending net for Florida Everblades.
Maybe not the start to his career he wanted to have but he did manage to put up some impressive numbers with a decent postseason run.
He would next leave for overseas signing a one-year contract with Finland’s TPS.
The 6′ 185 lbs. backstop was decent through the regular season but took it to another level in the playoffs posting a 1.57 GAA and .942 SV%, good enough to lead his team to the 2010 Liiga Championship.
Good enough to catch the attention of Buffalo Sabres, who inked him to an entry level deal and kept him in the prospect system for three years, appearing in a monumental 64 AHL games with Rochester Americans in 2012/2013.
He would try his hand at unrestricted free agent status to follow up the strong performance agreeing to a term with Washington Capitals but would be their primary goal presence with affiliate Hershey Bears but no NHL games to add to his credit.
New York Islanders became his next suitors to give them some veteran presence in net but he struggled with farm team Bridgeport Sound Tigers before being shipped to Arizona Coyotes, where he circled back to Portland Pirates.
That was enough of North American hockey for the veteran net minder, so he was off to Germay’s DEL with EHC Red Bull Munchen for his next adventure and what a ride it was.
He rose up to get back on his game playing 23 games with a sturdy 2.02 GAA and .930 SV% but it was again in the playoffs that he really came back to life shutting down opponents in 14 games on a 1.76 GAA and repeat .930 SV% to be crowned 2016 DEL Champions.
The soon-to-be 32-year old wasted little time to consider where he’d play in 2016/2017, instead re-signing to stay put for repeat shot at the title.
David Leggio(33) Portland Pirates
The Pirates Calder Cup playoff run (for the moment) rests on goalie David Leggio(33), who is playing his first full season in the AHL. He went 22-12 with a 2.80 GAA and .911 SV% this year.
It’s doubtful that #1 goalie Jhonas Enroth(1) will be back until the Sabres are eliminated, which will last at least through the first round vs. CT Whale.