REGINA PATS - BRETT LEFFLER - BECOMES DEFENCEMAN?

Regina Pats' Brett Leffler adding to his on-ice resume

By Greg Harder, Leader-Post, January 21, 2010

Regina Pats' Brett Leffler adding to his on-ice resume

REGINA — Brett Leffler doesn't mind taking one step forward, one step back.

While continuing to perform his usual duties up front for the Regina Pats, the veteran winger has also found himself in the unique position of being deployed as a defender on special teams. It may not be a typical arrangement, but Leffler doesn't mind being the Pats' resident Jack of all trades.

"I like it," he said while preparing for tonight's clash with the visiting Swift Current Broncos. "When I was younger I was a D-man up until bantam. It's new but it's not new. I kind of know the (basic) idea of what to do. I haven't minded at all. I don't think I'll be switching to D-man (permanently) any time soon but it's a nice little change. Any way I can help the team do a job, it's my pleasure."

Pats head coach Curtis Hunt initially moved Leffler to defence in penalty-killing situations as a temporary stopgap while the team was short-handed on the back end. Leffler embraced the role, so Hunt decided to keep him there.

"It really started out of necessity," said Hunt. "I look at our group, our D are young except for (Mitch) McColm and (Colten) Teubert. In terms of experience and poise and strength, I think he has done a real good job for us. Since we made that move, our PK has been very proficient, knock on wood. He's not without his mistakes out there but a lot of that is just familiarity and being in areas of the ice you're not normally comfortable being in. But he plays with poise back there. When he gets a puck on his tape, nobody clears it better. I give him credit. He hadn't seen a lot of power play (time) so it's a way to supplement his minutes as well. As long as he does a good job I see no reason to change."

On the power play, Leffler essentially took the spot vacated by defenceman Matt Delahey, who was traded to the Chilliwack Bruins on Jan. 10 for McColm. Since McColm isn't a power-play guy, the Pats needed someone to step in and fill the void.

"Hopefully I continue to get some icetime back there," said Leffler. "Me and Teubs have been moving the pucks well, just keeping it simple, trying to get shots through and creating chances for our forwards down low. It has been good."

Playing the back end wouldn't be a natural transition for most forwards, but Leffler has made the adjustment by relying on his experience and veteran savvy.

"I've been in this league a while now," noted the fifth-year WHLer. "Being a veteran you have to be relied upon to do certain things in different situations. You have to be able to come through in those situations. It's helping me get (more) icetime. It's a big bonus."

The change has also helped take Leffler's mind off his recent scoring slump. The former 30-goal man has scored just once in his past 21 games, but he's finding other ways to contribute.

"It's a little bit frustrating but at the same time you can't really worry about that too much,"

added Leffler, who has 13 goals and 34 points in 47 games this season. "You have to worry about what's helping the team do whatever it takes to win. That's my main focus right now, to get into the playoffs."