by Susan Haile
B
Brian Leetch ’86 describes himself as a “family man” these days. “That’s about all I’m doing,” the retired New York Ranger admits. With three kids, ages 8, 5, and 3, his hands are full. “It’s not as physically taxing as playing hockey,” he laughs, “but mentally it can wear you out. Now, though, I can get involved in what the kids are doing, which is really great.” And yes, that includes helping to coach the 8-year-old’s mite hockey team. He may be Mr. Mom today, but hands down, Leetch is also the most decorated athlete Avon Old Farms has ever produced. When the Rangers retired his number in January 2008 after a stellar 17-year career, Leetch had garnered enough awards to fill several trophy cases, including the Calder Trophy (as 1989’s NHL rookie of the year), the Norris Trophy (twice, as top defenseman), and the Conn Smythe Trophy (as playoff MVP) in 1994, the year the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. The last NHL defenseman (and only the fifth in NHL history) to post a 100-point season, Leetch tallied over 1,000 points in his career. He wears fame well. Soft-spoken, articulate, and gracious, Leetch chooses his words thoughtfully, with a humility that belies his dazzling career. “Brian was obviously a great hockey player, but still very humble and likeable,” comments John Gardner, Avon’s varsity hockey coach. “I don’t think success ever went to his head. The way he conducted himself in the NHL was the way he conducted
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Spring 2009 The Avonian
himself at Avon. In all my interactions with him, he’s still the same person he was.” According to Gardner, much of the credit belongs to Leetch’s parents. “Brian was brought up right,” he asserts. “People talk about ‘crazy hockey parents,’ but I think most of them do it right, because they spend a lot of time with their kids. I think Brian learned a lot from his parents, and he learned those lessons well.” Leetch came to Avon in 1984. His hometown rink in Cheshire, Conn., was about to close, and the future of his local hockey program was in doubt. A friend, Jeff Owens ’86, had come to Avon the year before. “It was not a hard decision at the time,” Leetch recalls, “but I really had a tough time at first.” Coats and ties? No girls? Washing dishes in the Refectory on Friday nights? It took Leetch most of that first year to adjust. “It was my one real difficult time,” he admits. “As a 16- or 17-year-old, you’re going through a lot of changes anyway, and I’d left my family and friends. The academics were more difficult than I was accustomed to. But I had John Gardner, and my friend from home, and the hockey team, and then I gained confidence and things were fine.” And he learned the Avon drill. “You got up, put on your jacket and tie, and went to class, but you didn’t have to worry about your hair,” he laughs. “Sure, we looked well dressed. But you’d look at each other and say, ‘That guy just got out of bed.’” Leetch knows he benefited from the commitment of the Avon faculty. “The teachers weren’t there to let you fail; they were there to support you,” he says. “It wasn’t always easy to ask for help, but often they came to me. I understand now, it’s all because they care. I look at them in awe.”