Brett Leonhardt usually spends game days posting stories on the Washington Capitals Web Site. Last Friday however, he became the story when the starting goaltender was injured and the minor league call-up had his flight delayed.
The team's web producer was sitting in his cubicle performing his daily routine tasks when he recieved a tap on the shoulder from Caps GM George McPhee. Before he knew it, he was in the Washington dressing room with Alexander Ovechkin, Sergi Federov and the rest of the team.
While he didn't play, Brett sat on the bench as backup to Brent Johnson and was an injury away from competing with the best hockey players in the world.
As a goalie for his college team and occasional stand-in during team practices, he stayed on the bench for part of the first period until the AHL call-up finally arrived.
Can you imagine sitting in your office/cubicle, the General Manager of the Capitals tells you you might get a chance to play in your first pro game and a few hours later you find yourself warming up on the ice with the likes of Ovie, Semin, Alfredsson and Spezza? This is stuff you find in the movies. It's too bad he never actually played but I'm sure he's not going to forget that day anytime soon.
Brian Leonhardt in his Washington Capitals gear and Neumann College Goalie Mask.
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