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Triton
09-12-2005, 10:28 AM
Veteran Brandon Wheat Kings' Derek LeBlanc has been so impressive skating this past week with rookie prospects with the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs that he's been invited to stay on for the hockey club's main camp this week.

A 19-year old local product, LeBlanc is coming off a solid sophomore season with the Wheat Kings, having scored fourteen goals and 29 points during the 2004-05 campaign.

Undrafted in this year's NHL entry draft in Ottawa, Derek was invited to participate with the Leafs' rookies and he's certainly made the most of it. Among the players that he'll be skating alongside this week is former Brandon blueliner Steven Later, who scored once Saturday in helping the Toronto rookies beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 at an NHL rookie tournament in Ottawa.

While LeBlanc's return to the Wheat Kings has been delayed, one veteran reassigned to Brandon this past weekend and two others are on their way back.

Overage defenceman Riley Day arrived in Brandon on Saturday night but did not play in last night's 3-2 pre-season loss to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors. Meanwhile netminder Tyler Plante and left-winger John Wikner have been sent back by the Panthers and Senators respectively.

A former member of the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Junior Elite League, Wikner was Brandon's first round selection in July's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

The 2005 WHL Rookie of the Year, Plante is coming off a stellar freshman season that saw him establish two club records - for most shutouts (6) in a single season and best goals against average. He also led all rookies in wins with 34 and save percentage (.907).

Both could be back in action this weekend when the Wheat Kings close out their 4-game pre-season schedule against the visiting Swift Current Broncos on Friday night and the Pats in Regina on Saturday.