Former UMass Dartmouth ice hockey standouts Steven and Sean Leonard '20 have signed free agent contracts with the Knoxville (Tenn.) Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League. The Leonard brothers, who are natives of Rockaway Park, N.Y. and previously played for the New York Bobcats of the Eastern Hockey League, will report to the Ice Bears' training camp in the fall looking to gain roster spots after concluding their stellar careers with the Corsairs this winter.
Steven, who earned first team all-Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference honors as a forward, paced Head Coach Erik Noack's squad in the scoring column with a league-leading 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points, including eight tallies and 13 helpers in conference play alone. A semifinalist for the prestigious Joe Concannon Award presented to the top American born player in New England Division II & III circles by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, Steven played 106 career games in a UMass Dartmouth uniform while netting 38 goals and 54 assists for 92 points over that span.
Sean was a second team all-MASCAC honoree on the blueline this past season, as he collected a goal and 15 assists for 16 points to rank as the conference's second highest scoring defenseman. In two campaigns under Noack's tutelage, Sean lit the lamp twice and added 32 helpers to finish with 34 points in 54 career contests.
"Having the chance to play professional hockey has always been a dream of mine, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity," Steven Leonard said. "My goals going in are to learn as much as I can and adapt quickly, as the game is certainly much different at the professional level."
"Every kid dreams of playing their favorite sport at the highest level, and I'm thankful for the chance to do so," Sean Leonard added. "I'm going in with a good attitude and will work hard to become part of the team as quickly as possible."
Both brothers are grateful for the impact that Noack, his staff and their teammates have had on their careers as they prepare to take the next step.
"The coaches have helped me so much both as a player and as a person, and I wouldn't be able to do this without them," Steven stated. "They've always believed in me and have prepared me for this moment."
"All of the coaches care about you so much as a person and player," Sean said. "And I also can't thank my teammates enough—I know Steve feels the same way. We wouldn't have the chance to pursue this dream without their support."
"Both Steven and Sean were tremendous leaders and catalysts for our team's success not only this past season, but throughout their careers, and I couldn't be happier for them to have the opportunity to play at the next level," Noack said of the Leonards. "Knoxville is getting a pair of great players and better people--their tireless work ethic will undoubtedly serve them well as they take that next step, and I know they will both make positive impacts on and off the ice."
UMass Dartmouth made its second appearance in the MASCAC tournament championship game in three years under Noack last March, as the Corsairs posted 13 overall victories that included league playoff triumphs over Worcester State and Fitchburg State.
