A welcome to Calgary, Leandro Goncalves Rookie Experience

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Leandro isn't your usual VHL prospect. He wasn't born in North America or Russia, nor did he have ice hockey in his bloodline. He didn't have the opportunities others may have had by the exposure of former players of his nationality playing in the VHL.

 

 

Instead, he unusually got to the VHL. He worked his way through the lower national leagues in Europe until the opportunity to jump to the VHL arose, as an older player, through Free Agency in the VHLM.

 

He didn't squander that opportunity, choosing Mississauga for the playing time over offers from Houston, who ended up going to the Founder's Cup Finals. He did get traded to Mexico City in a nice haul for the Mississauga team after he showed flashes of brilliance in an underwhelming team.

 

After a great season and a brilliant playoff run show, it was time to enter the drafts. Leandro didn't look for much, but the team which chose him had everything he ever wanted.

 

 Calgary. 

 

Of course, he wasn't ready for the VHL last season, so he committed to one season in the VHLE. Entering the VHLE draft as one of the best players available, he was chosen 1st overall by the Vasteras Iron Eagles.

 

In one of the best showings by any team in the VHLE, the Vasteras showed brilliance all-around. Leandro had a quality season as one of the best in the Vasteras squad, leading the 1st-line. Good because it wasn't made of overwhelming stats, but certainly with an overwhelming presence.

 

The Iron Eagles seemed poised to win the Renaissance Cup but were beaten by the Bratislava Watchmen in the Finals.

 

This has been a small round-up of Leandro's career until now, but what about his VHL future? What are his expectations? Not only for his rookie year but for his career too. Could he have any reservations about it?
 

Let's see what the prospect had to say about it when we asked him a couple of questions about his expectations for the new season.

 

Q.: "Calgary seems like a contender, starting the season. What does it feel like, getting the opportunity to contend on your first season?"

 

A.: "It's great! Our team has been in a rebuilding phase for a few seasons, but it sure seems like our core is assembled now. We're a strong team."

 

Q.: "And personally, what are your goals?"

 

A.: "What are you expecting me to tell you?" he said with a smile on his face, "Of course, I'd like to have a campaign worthy of the acclaim of Rookie of The Year, but that may be difficult playing in Calgary and having the reigning MVP, Saku Kotkakoivu, and Daniel Janser. Not to mention Landon Wolanin, who's also aiming for that honor. Instead, I'll aim to follow AirRig's footsteps and get my name on the All-VHL Rookie Team."

 

That was it. There's no doubt the kid is humble, part of a great locker room, and poised to have a great career. But no matter what he says to downplay expectations, he will have his share of the spotlight in Calgary. And he'll be expected to play well enough to have his name written in S83's VHL Rookie of the Year Trophy.

Edited June 23, 2022 by leandrofg
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