Following the two 1970 NHL expansion teams, the Boston Bruins selected Reggie Leach third overall at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. It was Boston’s 1st of four first round picks that year. Rick MacLeish was the fourth selection, also going to Boston. Darryl Sittler was taken eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs while Bill Clement was a second round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, 18th overall.
Leach played sparingly with the Bruins, appearing in 23 games in 1970-71 and 56 in 1971-72 before being traded to the California Golden Seals on February 23, 1972 with Bob Stewart and Rick Smith for Carol Vadnais and Don O’Donoghue. Of course, it was further down the road when Reg became a superstar with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Of the 14 players selected in the 1970 first round, Leach ended up third in career games played behind Perreault and Sittler. He also finished behind that pair in goals scored. In total points, Perreault, Sittler and Rick MacLeish finished ahead of Reggie.
Reg was drafted out of the Flin Flon Bombers of the WCHL. He played four years with the team, surpassing the 100 points plateau in all but an injury shortened 1968-69 season. That year, although he played just 22 games, he scored 36 goals. Playing alongside Bobby Clarke in 1967-68, Leach led the league with 87 goals, a 30 goal edge over the next contender. His 131 points were second to just Clarke’s 168.
If you’re looking to truly test your hockey trivia knowledge, take a 20 Question Hockey Trivia Quiz!
Bonus Trivia
NHL Hockey Trivia: The 1970 NHL Amateur Draft (Level=Easy!)
1. Who was selected first overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft?
2. Which two teams joined the NHL for the 1970-71 season and made the first two picks of the draft?
3. Dale Tallon was taken second overall in 1970. Which team selected him?
4. Which Hall of Famer, later a star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was drafted 8th overall in 1970?
5. The 1970 draft was the first for the Buffalo Sabres. Which future Hall of Famer did they choose with their first-ever pick?