Captain Jackson Leef with the puck (Photo credit: Robert Dombkowski)
Before the 2012-2013 season started for the defending Robertson Cup Champion, the Texas Tornado were looking for a captain as their captain of last year, Jack Prince, left the team as he made his commitments to the NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Being captain is a privilege and a huge responsibility but it is also an honor. Incomes second year player, Jackson Leef, who was voted as captain by his teammates before the season even started. He said it was an honor being named captain of the Tornado.
"“It’s definitely an honor, knowing the history of the club. I mean its big shoes to fill but I think it’s a great opportunity for me. I was really happy to get it,” Leef said about the honors of being named captain."
Right now in the 25 games this season that Leef has played, he has scored 5 goals and assisted on 23 of the goals for 28 points. He has improved from last season when he scored 9 goals and assisted on 8 of the goals for 17 points in the 23 games. He told Blackout Dallas that his game has changed from last year to this year.
"“I think I am a more rounded player where I am not just out there to make plays all. I’ll rough it up and take the body too and being the captain, I’ve got to get the boys going.”"
Hockey has been in Leef’s blood since he was a baby. His father, Ron Leef, is a former IHL player as he played with the Fort Wayne Komets from 1982 to 1987 . Ron was one of the best scorers in Komets history with 503 points in 404 games.
"“My father, Ron, was always my biggest inspiration. He played hockey. He played professional actually and he got me going into the sport. I’ve always wanted to be like him,” Leef told us about his father being the inspiration to his reason to play hockey."
Leef is currently playing hockey with the Texas Tornado of the NAHL and looking to make the big leagues or at least get a scholarship like Jack Prince did. Last year was a big moment for Leef as last year, he won his first ever NAHL championship.
"“The feeling of winning the Robertson Cup Champions was the most amazing feeling of my life. Just like everything that happened during that Robertson cup week. Just the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”"
So hopefully another championship, but as being captain of the Texas Tornado, will be another huge accomplish for Jackson Leef. Time will tell but right now with the Texas Tornado being in the first in the South Division another championship seems to be possible.