Brett Leason has come to terms with the Washington Capitals a day after his Prince Albert Raiders linemate, Aliaksei Protas, signed a three-year, entry-level deal.
Leason’s deal will net him $750k in salary and a $92.5k signing bonus per season, giving his contract an average annual value of $842.5k.
Leason is projected to play next season with the Hershey Bears.
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The mammoth forward registered 89 points (36g, 53a) in 55 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League last season. The 6’4”, 210-pound right wing had 25 points (10g, 15a) in 22 playoff games, helping lead Prince Albert to the WHL championship.
Leason with Protas after winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup
On the second day of the draft, Leason received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence. The award is presented annually by the NHL to a prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism. The past recipients include the 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos (2018), Nico Hischier (2017), Neil Doef (2016), and Travis Konecny (2015).
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Brett Leason to a three-year entry level contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Leason’s contract will carry an average annual salary of $750,000 and will include a $92,500 signing bonus each year (yielding an average annual value of $842,500).
The Capitals selected Leason with their second-round pick, 56th-overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Leason, 20, was ranked fifth among right wings and 21st overall among North American forwards by NHL Central Scouting. The 6’4”, 210-pound right wing registered 89 points (36g, 53a) in 55 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. Leason led Prince Albert in points and ranked eighth in the WHL in the 2018-19 season. The Calgary, Alberta, native recorded 25 points (10g, 15a) in 22 playoff games, ranking second in the WHL in playoff points, en route to Prince Albert’s Ed Chynoweth Cup as the WHL champions. Leason was named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team last season.
In 190 career WHL games between Prince Albert and the Tri-City Americans, Leason has recorded 140 points (60g, 80a). He received the 2019 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence this year, presented annually by the NHL to a prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.
Leason represented Team Canada in the 2019 World Junior Championship, recording five points (3g, 2a) in five games.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
