The Reign announced the signing of two forwards today, returning speedster Todd Jackson and Dan Leslie, an enforcer from the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The 28-year-old Jackson was the fastest skater in the Reign’s inaugural season. He also showed a particular knack for special teams, sharing the team lead in short-handed goals (2) and tying for third in power-play goals (7). On the season, he finished with 14 goals and 29 points in 57 games.
Leslie, 22, seems to be an accomplished fighter. Check out his work with the Columbus (Ga.) Cottonmouths here, here, here and here (the last of which shows him deck an opponent despite his sweater completely covering his eyes, at the 30-second mark).
A native of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Leslie accumulated 222 penalty minutes in 56 games last season, a team high. The 6-3, 201-pound forward also tacked on three goals and three assists for Columbus.
Besides Jackson and Leslie, the Reign have announced the signing of 10 players for the upcoming season: forwards Jon Rheault, Robert Pearce, Brian Matte, Tyler Mugford, Tim Kraus. Jon Francisco, Geoff Walker; and defensemen Chad Starling, David Walker and Brian Kilburg.