Stephen Leach is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 26, 1968, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. Leach began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Hamilton Steelhawks in 1984. He played for the Steelhawks for two seasons before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Leach made his NHL debut with the Bruins in the 1987-88 season. He played for the Bruins for six seasons, from 1987 to 1993. During his time with the Bruins, Leach was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals. He was a key player on the Bruins' 1990 Stanley Cup Final team, scoring 10 goals in 20 playoff games.
In 1993, Leach was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Sharks for one season before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1994. Leach played for the Canadiens for two seasons, from 1994 to 1996. He then signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals in 1996. Leach played for the Capitals for three seasons, from 1996 to 1999.
Leach's final season in the NHL was with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1999-2000. He played in 67 games for the Flyers, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists. Leach retired from professional hockey after the 2000 season.
Throughout his NHL career, Leach played in 728 games, scoring 129 goals and 157 assists for a total of 286 points. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals, particularly in the playoffs. Leach played in 89 playoff games, scoring 23 goals and 20 assists for a total of 43 points.
After retiring from professional hockey, Leach became a coach. He coached in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He also worked as a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers.
In addition to his hockey career, Leach is also known for his charitable work. He founded the Stephen Leach Foundation, which raises money for children's charities in the Philadelphia area. The foundation has raised over $1 million since its inception.
Overall, Stephen Leach had a successful career in the NHL, playing for six different teams over the course of 13 seasons. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals, particularly in the playoffs. After retiring from professional hockey, Leach continued to work in the sport as a coach and scout, and also became involved in charitable work.
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