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Home , Ace Bailey, Alex Delvecchio, Andy Bathgate, Babe Dye, Babe Siebert, Bernie Federko

John K. Samson PO Box 83‐971 Corydon Avenue , R3M 3S3

February 23, 2013

Mr. , Chairman of the Board, and Members of the Selection Committee The 30 Yonge Street , M5V 1X8

Dear Mr. Bill Hay, Chairman of the Board, and Members of the Selection Committee, Hockey Hall of Fame;

In accordance with the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Policy Regarding Public Submission of Candidates Eligible for Election into Honoured Membership, please accept this bona‐fide submission putting forth the name Reggie Joseph Leach for your consideration.

A member of the Berens River First Nation, Reggie Joseph Leach was born in 1950 in Riverton, Manitoba. While facing the injustices of racism and poverty, and playing on borrowed skates for much of his childhood, Leach’s terrific speed and honed shooting skills earned him the nickname “The Riverton Rifle.” He went on to become one of the most gifted and exciting hockey players of his generation.

His pro‐hockey accomplishments are truly impressive: two‐time NHL All Star, Trophy winner (the only non‐goalie from a losing team to ever win it), 1975 winner, 1976 Cup winner, and Regular Scoring Leader, to name a few.

His record is remarkable, too. As a legendary member of the MJHL/WCJHL Bombers, Mr. Leach led the league in goal‐scoring twice, and was placed on the First All‐ Star team every season he played.

The statistical analysis in the pages that follow, prepared by Phil Russell of Dozen Able Men Data Design (, Ontario), makes a clear and persuasive case that Mr. Leach’s numbers as an MJHL, WCJHL, International and NHL player qualify him for induction as an honoured member.

Although statistics often provide the tune to which we set our ambitions, we are taught that, in the end, a person should only be judged by the content of his or her character. ’s most impressive feat may therefore be his continued battle against alcoholism. Mr. Leach has dedicated much of his time speaking to young people, with admirable honesty and directness, about how alcohol injured every aspect of his life. The value of his ongoing service as a mentor is incalculable. As a songwriter, I’ve expressed my belief that Reggie Leach should be inducted into the hall of fame with a song that takes the form of an online petition, called www.ipetitions.com/petition/ rivertonrifle/. On the next page you will find the lyrics, and a link to thousands of signatures that have been collected from people all over the world.

Above all, the letters of support included in this submission, many of them from First Nations people, are the most abiding proof that Reggie Joseph Leach has inspired and encouraged people both in and far beyond the world of hockey, and therefore deserves to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as an Honoured Member.

Thank you for giving this submission your thoughtful attention.

Yours truly,

John K. Samson !!!"#$%&#&#'()"*'+,$%&#&#'(,-#.%-&'(-#/%,

Whereas Reggie Leach was born and played minor hockey back in my hometown. The Rifle fired his first 500 here, slapped his way into the NHL. Whereas some of us weren’t always fair to the Native kid on borrowed skates—chippy Goolies and Ukranians in the corners with our up. Whereas Reggie on a play‐off run could make a dad go buy the new TV, and put his youngest by the window, place the split antenna in her tiny . Whereas photos from the old Tribune of Reggie smiling with the Stanley Cup curled their corners, dropped off bedroom walls, left a square of where they used to be. Therefore we, the undersigned, put forth his name to the Hockey Hall of Fame. (Please visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/rivertonrifle/ to view the signatures.) Career Statistics Career Highlights

In the 1975‐76 season, Reggie scored a then‐record 80 goals; 61 goals in the regular season and 19 more in the playoffs.

Reggie set the record for most goals in a single playoffs, scoring 19 in the 1976 post‐season. The record was equalled by in 1985. Kurri achieved this feat in 18 games, Reggie in just 16. Only five players from the losing team have won the . Four of them were goalies. The fifth? Reggie Leach, the only skater from a non‐Stanley Cup winning side to be named as the championship’s .

On May 6, 1976, Reggie scored 5 goals in a playoff game against the . Only four other players in NHL history have accomplished this feat—all are Honoured Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Reggie Leach Career Stats in Comparison Most Goals in a Season Regular Season & Playoffs 100 Honoured Member

80 GOALS 80

60

40

20 GOALS Jari Kurri (85‐86) Jari Kurri (84‐85) (90‐91) Brett Hull (89‐90) Brett Hull (91‐92) (93‐94) (80‐81) Mike Bossy (81‐82) Mike Bossy (82‐83) Mike Bossy (78‐79) (77‐78) (70‐71) Phil Esposito (73‐74) Phil Esposito (71‐72) Jaromir Jagr (95‐96) (92‐93) (88‐89) (88‐89) Mario Lemieux (87‐88) Mario Lemieux (95‐96) Mario Lemieux (92‐93) (88‐89) (83‐84) Wayne Gretzky (81‐82) Wayne Gretzky (84‐85) Wayne Gretzky (82‐83) Teemu Selanne (92‐93) (92‐93) REGGIE LEACH (75-76) Source: www.hockey-reference.com

Most Goals in One Playoff Season Honoured Member 20 19 GOALS

15 GAMES PLAYED Leach 16 Kurri ’85 18 Sakic 22 Bossy ’81 18 10 Gretzky ’85 18 Payne 19 Bossy ’82 19 Bossy ’83 19 Stevens 16 5 Lemieux ’92 15 Neely ’91 19 Mullen ’89 21 Simpson ’90 22 Lemieux ’91 23 Bure ’93 24 Messier ’83 15 Cournoyer ’73 22 Kurri ’87 23 GOALS Crosby ’09 24 Pavel Bure

Steve Payne Gretzky ’93 15 Jari Kurri ’85 Jari Kurri ’87 ’89 Mike Bossy ’81 Mike Bossy ’82 Mike Bossy ’83 ’91 REGGIE LEACH

Mario Lemieux ’92 Mario Lemieux ’91 Source: www.hockey-reference.com ’90 Wayne Gretzky ’85 Wayne Gretzky ’93 Punch Broadbent Regular Season Goals by Wingers Honoured Members† & Reggie Leach †Minimum of 200 games played Herbie Lewis Blake Harry Watson Dickie Moore Aurele Joliat Bob Pulford Dick Duff George Armstrong Andy Bathgate REGGIE LEACH 381 GOALS Cam Neely Yvan Cournoyer Pavel Bure Lanny McDonald Joe Mullen Michel Goulet Guy Lafleur Mike Bossy Jari Kurri Luc Robitaille Brett Hull GOALS 200 400 600 800 Data source: www.hhof.com Regular Season Goals by Forwards Ace Bailey Punch Broadbent † Bobby Bauer Honoured Members & Reggie Leach Harry Oliver †Minimum of 200 games played Buddy O'Connor Babe Siebert Lynn Patrick Herbie Lewis Gordie Drillon Bun Cook Igor Larionov Cooney Weiland Bert Olmstead Bryan Hextall Hooley Smith Sweeney Schriner Woody Dumart Doug Bentley Charlie Conacher Roy Conacher Dit Clapper Bill Cook Harry Watson Syd Howe Bob Gainey Busher Jackson Cy Denneny Bill Mosienko Dickie Moore Aurele Joliat Bob Pulford Dick Duff George Armstrong Clark Gillies Andy Bathgate Bernie Federko Ted Lindsay REGGIE LEACH 381 GOALS Bernie Geoffrion Cam Neely Rod Gilbert Bill Barber Steve Shutt Yvan Cournoyer Pavel Bure Peter Stastny Pat LaFontaine Glenn Anderson Lanny McDonald Joe Mullen Jean Beliveau Gil Perreault Frank Mahovlich Maurice Richard Michel Goulet Johnny Bucyk Guy Lafleur Mike Bossy Jari Kurri Dino Ciccarelli Bobby Hull Joe Sakic Luc Robitaille Mario Lemieux Steve Yzerman Mark Messier Mike Gartner Phil Esposito Brett Hull Gordie Howe Wayne Gretzky GOALS 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Data source: www.hhof.com Ace Bailey Punch Broadbent Playoff Goals by Wingers Babe Siebert Honoured Members† & Reggie Leach Bryan Hextall †Minimum of 20 playoff games Aurele Joliat Doug Bentley Lynn Patrick Bill Mosienko Hooley Smith Bobby Bauer Woody Dumart Dit Clapper Bill Cook Herbie Lewis Bun Cook Roy Conacher Bert Olmstead Harry Watson Cy Denneny Syd Howe Charlie Conacher Busher Jackson Sweeney Schriner Andy Bathgate Bob Gainey Bob Pulford Toe Blake George Armstrong Gordie Drillon Dick Duff Rod Gilbert Pavel Bure Michel Goulet Johnny Bucyk Mike Gartner Lanny McDonald Dickie Moore Clark Gillies Ted Lindsay REGGIE LEACH 47 GOALS Steve Shutt Frank Mahovlich Bill Barber Cam Neely Luc Robitaille Bernie Geoffrion Guy Lafleur Joe Mullen Bobby Hull Yvan Cournoyer Gordie Howe Dino Ciccarelli Maurice Richard Mike Bossy Glenn Anderson Brett Hull Jari Kurri GOALS 20 40 60 80 100 120 Data source: www.hhof.com Ace Bailey Frank Nighbor Punch Broadbent Playoff Goals by Forwards Joe Primeau Babe Siebert † Ebbie Goodfellow Honoured Members & Reggie Leach Bryan Hextall Nels Stewart †Minimum of 20 playoff games Aurele Joliat Doug Bentley Clint Smith Harry Oliver Lynn Patrick Bill Mosienko Hooley Smith Bobby Bauer Bill Cowley Cooney Weiland Woody Dumart Howie Morenz Dit Clapper Bill Cook Herbie Lewis Buddy O'Connor Marty Barry Bun Cook Roy Conacher Frank Boucher Bert Olmstead Harry Watson Cy Denneny Syd Howe Charlie Conacher Max Bentley Busher Jackson Sweeney Schriner Elmer Lach Marcel Dionne Andy Bathgate Milt Schmidt Syl Apps Bob Gainey Bob Pulford Toe Blake Pat LaFontaine George Armstrong Gordie Drillon Sid Abel Ted Kennedy Darryl Sittler Igor Larionov Norm Ullman Dale Hawerchuk Dick Duff Jean Ratelle Dave Keon Red Kelly Peter Stastny Gil Perreault Rod Gilbert Alex Delvecchio Bernie Federko Pavel Bure Mats Sundin Michel Goulet Johnny Bucyk Adam Oates Bobby Clarke Mike Gartner Lanny McDonald Ron Francis Dickie Moore Clark Gillies Ted Lindsay REGGIE LEACH 47 GOALS Henri Richard Steve Shutt Frank Mahovlich Bill Barber Cam Neely Luc Robitaille Bernie Geoffrion Guy Lafleur Stan Mikita Doug Gilmour Joe Mullen Jacques Lemaire Phil Esposito Bobby Hull Yvan Cournoyer Denis Savard Joe Nieuwendyk Gordie Howe Steve Yzerman Bryan Trottier Dino Ciccarelli Mario Lemieux Jean Beliveau Maurice Richard Joe Sakic Mike Bossy Glenn Anderson Brett Hull Jari Kurri Mark Messier Wayne Gretzky GOALS 20 40 60 80 100 120 Data source: www.hhof.com Bob Gainey Bert Olmstead Regular Season Goals per Babe Siebert George Armstrong Game by Wingers Bob Pulford † Woody Dumart Honoured Members & Reggie Leach Dit Clapper †Minimum of 200 games played Dick Duff Hooley Smith Harry Watson Herbie Lewis George Hay Lynn Patrick Andy Bathgate Reg Noble Clark Gillies Bun Cook Syd Howe Ace Bailey Ted Lindsay Johnny Bucyk Bill Mosienko Dickie Moore Bobby Bauer Busher Jackson Rod Gilbert Doug Bentley Punch Broadbent Toe Blake REGGIE LEACH 0.41 GOALS PER GAME Aurele Joliat Sweeney Schriner Bryan Hextall Glenn Anderson Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Lanny McDonald Frank Mahovlich Gordie Howe Steve Shutt Roy Conacher Bill Barber Luc Robitaille Joe Mullen Jari Kurri Bill Cook Charlie Conacher Dino Ciccarelli Mike Gartner Guy Lafleur Gordie Drillon Michel Goulet Cam Neely Maurice Richard Bobby Hull Brett Hull Pavel Bure Babe Dye Cy Denneny Mike Bossy GOALS 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 Data source: www.hhof.com Igor Larionov Bob Gainey Joe Primeau Regular Season Goals per Bert Olmstead Red Kelly Edgar Laprade Babe Siebert Game by Forwards Ebbie Goodfellow George Armstrong † Adam Oates Honoured Members & Reggie Leach Bob Pulford Woody Dumart †Minimum of 200 games played Dit Clapper Harry Oliver Dick Duff Buddy O'Connor Hooley Smith Henri Richard Frank Boucher Harry Watson Alex Delvecchio Milt Schmidt Doug Gilmour Dave Keon Herbie Lewis Sid Abel George Hay Bobby Clarke Ron Francis Lynn Patrick Elmer Lach Andy Bathgate Reg Noble Ted Kennedy Clark Gillies Clint Smith Bun Cook Syd Howe Cooney Weiland Norm Ullman Billy Burch Ace Bailey Ted Lindsay Bill Cowley Johnny Bucyk Bill Mosienko Dickie Moore Bernie Federko Bobby Bauer Max Bentley Busher Jackson Rod Gilbert Marty Barry Jean Ratelle Doug Bentley Stan Mikita Mark Messier Denis Savard Frank Nighbor Punch Broadbent Toe Blake REGGIE LEACH 0.41 GOALS PER GAME Bryan Trottier Aurele Joliat Sweeney Schriner Bryan Hextall Mats Sundin Jacques Lemaire Gil Perreault Dale Hawerchuk Glenn Anderson Darryl Sittler Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Joe Nieuwendyk Lanny McDonald Jean Beliveau Frank Mahovlich Gordie Howe Joe Sakic Steve Shutt Steve Yzerman Peter Stastny Roy Conacher Bill Barber Luc Robitaille Joe Mullen Syl Apps Jari Kurri Bill Cook Charlie Conacher Howie Morenz Dino Ciccarelli Mike Gartner Guy Lafleur Gordie Drillon Nels Stewart Michel Goulet Pat LaFontaine Marcel Dionne Cam Neely Maurice Richard Phil Esposito Bobby Hull Brett Hull Wayne Gretzky Pavel Bure Babe Dye Mario Lemieux Cy Denneny Mike Bossy GOALS 0.1 0.2 0.31 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 Data source: www.hhof.com Woody Dumart Bob Gainey Playoff Goals per Game by Bert Olmstead Ace Bailey Wingers Babe Siebert Honoured Members† & Reggie Leach Dit Clapper †Minimum of 20 playoff games Punch Broadbent Aurele Joliat Hooley Smith Bryan Hextall Lynn Patrick Bobby Bauer George Armstrong Syd Howe Busher Jackson Harry Watson Dick Duff Bob Pulford Bill Cook Clark Gillies Sweeney Schriner Bun Cook Johnny Bucyk Dickie Moore Herbie Lewis Charlie Conacher Mike Gartner Ted Lindsay Roy Conacher Luc Robitaille Frank Mahovlich Lanny McDonald Andy Bathgate Doug Bentley Bill Barber Glenn Anderson Joe Mullen Michel Goulet Rod Gilbert Toe Blake Gordie Howe Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Guy Lafleur Bill Mosienko REGGIE LEACH 0.50 GOALS PER GAME Steve Shutt Brett Hull Dino Ciccarelli Gordie Drillon Bobby Hull Jari Kurri Pavel Bure Cam Neely Maurice Richard Cy Denneny Mike Bossy GPG 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 Data source: www.hhof.com Joe Primeau Woody Dumart Bob Gainey Playoff Goals per Game Bert Olmstead Ace Bailey Babe Siebert Dit Clapper by Forwards Punch Broadbent Ebbie Goodfellow † Nels Stewart Honoured Members & Reggie Leach Bill Cowley † Frank Nighbor Minimum of 20 playoff games Aurele Joliat Igor Larionov Red Kelly Hooley Smith Bryan Hextall Lynn Patrick Bobby Bauer George Armstrong Clint Smith Syd Howe Elmer Lach Busher Jackson Adam Oates Harry Watson Jean Ratelle Dick Duff Cooney Weiland Ron Francis Henri Richard Milt Schmidt Bob Pulford Bill Cook Buddy O'Connor Norm Ullman Harry Oliver Clark Gillies Sid Abel Alex Delvecchio Frank Boucher Sweeney Schriner Bobby Clarke Dale Hawerchuk Bryan Trottier Bun Cook Doug Gilmour Johnny Bucyk Howie Morenz Dickie Moore Herbie Lewis Charlie Conacher Dave Keon Marty Barry Mike Gartner Max Bentley Ted Lindsay Peter Stastny Roy Conacher Steve Yzerman Syl Apps Luc Robitaille Gil Perreault Ted Kennedy Frank Mahovlich Lanny McDonald Pat LaFontaine Stan Mikita Darryl Sittler Bernie Federko Andy Bathgate Denis Savard Doug Bentley Bill Barber Glenn Anderson Mats Sundin Joe Nieuwendyk Joe Mullen Jacques Lemaire Michel Goulet Marcel Dionne Rod Gilbert Toe Blake Gordie Howe Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Guy Lafleur Bill Mosienko Mark Messier Phil Esposito Jean Beliveau Joe Sakic REGGIE LEACH 0.50 GOALS PER GAME Steve Shutt Brett Hull Dino Ciccarelli Gordie Drillon Bobby Hull Jari Kurri Pavel Bure Wayne Gretzky Cam Neely Maurice Richard Cy Denneny Mike Bossy Mario Lemieux GPG 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 Data source: www.hhof.com Punch Broadbent Aurele Joliat Goals per Game Ace Bailey Bill Cook Production Bryan Hextall Bobby Bauer in the Playoffs Charlie Conacher Mike Gartner vs. Regular Season Woody Dumart Busher Jackson by Wingers Cy Denneny Honoured Members† Dit Clapper Sweeney Schriner & Reggie Leach Roy Conacher †Minimum of 20 playoff games Mike Bossy Luc Robitaille Syd Howe Babe Siebert Lynn Patrick Michel Goulet Frank Mahovlich DECREASE Hooley Smith Pavel Bure Bert Olmstead Brett Hull Lanny McDonald Bob Gainey Bill Barber Joe Mullen Bobby Hull Clark Gillies Guy Lafleur Harry Watson Johnny Bucyk Glenn Anderson Dickie Moore Gordie Howe George Armstrong Dick Duff Bun Cook Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Ted Lindsay Doug Bentley Bob Pulford Gordie Drillon Toe Blake Dino Ciccarelli Herbie Lewis Steve Shutt Rod Gilbert INCREASE Jari Kurri Maurice Richard Andy Bathgate Cam Neely Bill Mosienko REGGIE LEACH +0.9 GOALS PER GAME -0.2 -0.1 0 +0.1 Data source: www.hhof.com Nels Stewart Punch Broadbent Aurele Joliat Goals per Game Ace Bailey Bill Cook Bryan Hextall Frank Nighbor Production Bill Cowley Pat LaFontaine Howie Morenz Bobby Bauer in the Playoffs Charlie Conacher Mike Gartner Woody Dumart vs. Regular Season Busher Jackson Dale Hawerchuk Jean Ratelle Cy Denneny by Forwards Dit Clapper Marcel Dionne † Syl Apps Honoured Members Sweeney Schriner Peter Stastny Roy Conacher & Reggie Leach Mike Bossy † Luc Robitaille Minimum of 20 playoff games Steve Yzerman Syd Howe Clint Smith Babe Siebert Lynn Patrick Phil Esposito Bryan Trottier Joe Primeau Michel Goulet Frank Mahovlich Hooley Smith Pavel Bure Bert Olmstead Brett Hull DECREASE Lanny McDonald Elmer Lach Cooney Weiland Bob Gainey Norm Ullman Gil Perreault Ebbie Goodfellow Darryl Sittler Bill Barber Joe Mullen Bobby Hull Ron Francis Clark Gillies Guy Lafleur Mario Lemieux Marty Barry Harry Watson Joe Nieuwendyk Johnny Bucyk Glenn Anderson Max Bentley Dickie Moore Gordie Howe Sid Abel Milt Schmidt Wayne Gretzky George Armstrong Henri Richard Red Kelly Dick Duff Jacques Lemaire Bun Cook Stan Mikita Yvan Cournoyer Bernie Geoffrion Alex Delvecchio Denis Savard Bobby Clarke Ted Lindsay Mats Sundin Adam Oates Frank Boucher Doug Bentley Buddy O'Connor Harry Oliver Bernie Federko Igor Larionov Bob Pulford Gordie Drillon Toe Blake Dino Ciccarelli Doug Gilmour Joe Sakic Herbie Lewis INCREASE Jean Beliveau Ted Kennedy Dave Keon Steve Shutt Rod Gilbert Jari Kurri Maurice Richard Andy Bathgate Mark Messier Cam Neely Bill Mosienko REGGIE LEACH +0.9 GOALS PER GAME -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 +0.1 Data source: www.hhof.com George Hay Punch Broadbent Regular Season Points by Wingers Ace Bailey † Babe Dye Honoured Members & Reggie Leach † Bobby Bauer Minimum of 200 games played Reg Noble Gordie Drillon Babe Siebert Bun Cook Herbie Lewis Cy Denneny Lynn Patrick Bryan Hextall Bill Cook Charlie Conacher Sweeney Schriner Hooley Smith Roy Conacher Woody Dumart Harry Watson Aurele Joliat Dit Clapper Busher Jackson Bob Gainey Toe Blake Syd Howe Bill Mosienko Doug Bentley Dick Duff Bert Olmstead Dickie Moore Bob Pulford REGGIE LEACH 666 POINTS Cam Neely Clark Gillies George Armstrong Pavel Bure Steve Shutt Bernie Geoffrion Ted Lindsay Yvan Cournoyer Bill Barber Maurice Richard Andy Bathgate Lanny McDonald Rod Gilbert Joe Mullen Glenn Anderson Frank Mahovlich Mike Bossy Michel Goulet Bobby Hull Dino Ciccarelli Mike Gartner Guy Lafleur Johnny Bucyk Brett Hull Luc Robitaille Jari Kurri Gordie Howe POINTS 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 1000 Data source: www.hhof.com Ace Bailey Punch Broadbent Playoff Points by Wingers Babe Siebert Honoured Members† & Reggie Leach Bill Mosienko †Minimum of 20 playoff games Lynn Patrick Bryan Hextall Doug Bentley Bun Cook Cy Denneny Bobby Bauer Hooley Smith Aurele Joliat Herbie Lewis Bill Cook Harry Watson Woody Dumart Sweeney Schriner Dit Clapper Roy Conacher Busher Jackson Charlie Conacher Andy Bathgate Gordie Drillon Syd Howe Bob Pulford Bert Olmstead George Armstrong Toe Blake Rod Gilbert REGGIE LEACH 69 POINTS Pavel Bure Bob Gainey Michel Goulet Dick Duff Lanny McDonald Cam Neely Mike Gartner Clark Gillies Ted Lindsay Steve Shutt Johnny Bucyk Joe Mullen Bill Barber Dickie Moore Frank Mahovlich Bernie Geoffrion Dino Ciccarelli Maurice Richard Luc Robitaille Yvan Cournoyer Bobby Hull Guy Lafleur Gordie Howe Mike Bossy Brett Hull Glenn Anderson Jari Kurri POINTS 50 100 150 200 250 Data source: www.hhof.com George Hay Babe Dye Regular Season Games by Wingers Punch Broadbent † Gordie Drillon Honoured Members & Reggie Leach † Ace Bailey Minimum of 200 games played Bobby Bauer Cy Denneny Bryan Hextall Lynn Patrick Charlie Conacher Bun Cook Bill Cook Herbie Lewis Sweeney Schriner Roy Conacher Reg Noble Doug Bentley Toe Blake Babe Siebert Busher Jackson Aurele Joliat Syd Howe Pavel Bure Bill Mosienko Hooley Smith Dickie Moore Cam Neely Mike Bossy Woody Dumart Harry Watson Dit Clapper Bert Olmstead Bernie Geoffrion Bill Barber Steve Shutt REGGIE LEACH 934 GAMES Clark Gillies Yvan Cournoyer Maurice Richard Dick Duff Joe Mullen Bobby Hull Rod Gilbert Ted Lindsay Andy Bathgate Bob Pulford Michel Goulet Lanny McDonald Guy Lafleur Glenn Anderson Bob Gainey Frank Mahovlich George Armstrong Dino Ciccarelli Jari Kurri Brett Hull Luc Robitaille Mike Gartner Johnny Bucyk Gordie Howe GAMES 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Data source: www.hhof.com Letters of Support February 15, 2013

To the Members of the Selection Committee of the Hockey Hall of Fame,

My name is Joseph Boyden, a Canadian mixed blood novelist and journalist of Irish and heritage. My novels include the internationally bestselling Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce, and they’ve won such prizes as the Scotiabank Giller, The Rogers Writers Trust Prize, The Amazon First Novel Award, and McNally Robinson Aboriginal Book of the Year Award.

I am writing this letter to ask you to consider nominating Reggie Leach for Honoured Membership in the Hockey Hall of Fame. I can personally attest to how Mr. Leach was and certainly continues to be an amazing inspiration to Aboriginal youth across this country. He’s a of pride for First Nations people in Canada and has opened the door to so many youth wanting not just to play the game of hockey but to succeed in a world that is often foreign and frightening to them.

I don’t have to tell you all of “The Riverton Rifle’s” many accomplishments on the ice as his years of excellence, record- play, and sportsmanship speak for themselves. But what makes Reggie Leach such a standout player and person is his continued love for his community and for communities across our nation, the adoration of his fans, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike, and the pride he has instilled in so many young people since his first days on the ice.

His admission to the hallowed halls of your institution will bring real pride to people across our continent. Reggie Leach broke down a lot of barriers and made a massive positive impact on the game and on a lot of us kids watching him with breathless wonder and amazement.

Sincerely,

Joseph Boyden

!

DEPARTMENT OF 1600 West Bank Drive INDIGENOUS STUDIES Peterborough, ON Canada K9J 7B8 Telephone (705) 748-1011 ext. 7466 Facsimile (705) 748-1416 Email: [email protected] Web: www.trentu.ca/indigenousstudies

January 30, 2013

To the Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee:

I am writing this letter to support the induction of Reggie Leach, a member of Berens River First Nation into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Hockey is a sport that is held close to the heart for many First Nations people. In my nation, hockey is the younger sibling of baagaataa’awe or lacrosse and our children and youth are involved in the sport both through minor hockey, Aboriginal hockey programs, and by simply going out onto the lake in boots or on borrowed skates and just playing.

Reggie Leach was born in 1950. Growing up as a First Nations person in the 1950s and 1960s was difficult. First nations people were not able to practice their ceremonies, hire a lawyer or organize politically until 1958. First Nations people did not have the right to vote in Canada until 1960. Through the and Native people faced tremendous racism and discrimination, often in addition to living in conditions of poverty. None of these barriers stopped Leach – he was not only able to overcome these obstacles, but he was able to carry himself forward to become the highest caliber of athlete. He was able to obtain excellence.

Leach has continued his commitment to the sport of hockey and to Aboriginal communities. He is a regular participant and supporter of Aboriginal youth hockey tournaments, clinics and workshops. He is an inspiring speaker for our youth. He has also started a hockey school along with his son , who played for the Penguins in the early , and the two hope to bring the school to First Nation youth in Canada. Milton Tootoosis, the president of Oskana Minor Hockey Development Inc. says “Reggie is a great role model. He's a great guy for giving back to the community and we all appreciate that.”

Leach is a role model for our young people not only because he was an outstanding hockey player committed to giving back to our communities but also because he has overcome addition. Aboriginal communities continually battle against substance abuse as our people search for ways to cope with ongoing and historic trauma. Leach talks openly about the negative ways alcohol impacted his life and career. He honestly shares a pathway to a different life – these are the kinds of stories Aboriginal youth need to hear.

My son plays both lacrosse and soccer in our town and is an avid hockey fan. For his ninth birthday, his dream was to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. While we visited the exhibits he carried with him a list of First Nations, Métis and Inuit players. We found several NHL players with Aboriginal ancestry on the Stanley Cup, including George Armstrong (), Theo Fleury (Flames), Bryan Trottier, Chris Simon (), and of course Reggie Leach with the . He asked me why we had to search so hard for our contribution. I had no answer.

Our children and youth need to see themselves, their realities and their stories reflected back to them in a positive way. This mirroring shows our youth that they too can dream and achieve and contribute to their communities and broader society. It places their experiences in a historical context enabling them to be inspired and challenged by the generation that has gone before them. Reggie Leach and his story of persistence, commitment and success in the sport of hockey is one of those examples. His story dazzles our children’s eyes. Reggie Leach is our hero.

In writing this, I ask that you give the submission package for the induction of Reggie Leach into the Hockey Hall of Fame your full attention. This induction would not only have tremendous meaning for Leach, his fans and Aboriginal People all over Canada, but it would inspire a new generation of Indigenous athletes to strive for excellence and to persist despite the barriers they . Reggie Leach is one of our heroes – please recognize him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Your Truly,

Leanne Simpson, (Anishinaabe), Ph.D. Member of Alderville First Nation Conjunct Faculty, Indigenous Studies PhD Program

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