A couple months ago, Zac Leslie was finishing practice like any other day in Ontario, California, when his coach came over to him and said that he had been traded to the Chicago Wolves.
“I was really excited,” Leslie said. “I hadn’t been playing as well as I wanted to in Ontario, so I think the fresh start was more than welcoming to me. Chicago has been awesome so far.”
Wolves sideline reporter Mark Citron caught up with Leslie to discuss life in Chicago on and off the ice.
Q: You scored five points (1G, 4A) in 26 games played for the Ontario Reign, then you come to Chicago and currently have 15 points (4G, 11A) in 21 games. What is the reason for the superb offense, especially for a defenseman?
ZL: “I mean, it’s something that has always been a part of my game, but I didn’t get off to the start I would have liked in Ontario. Obviously getting here and coming to a team that’s built around scoring goals and playing fast-paced has benefited me to be able to chip in and help the team win games. I am getting a good opportunity to be able to produce and I am surrounded by great players who are putting me in good situations to put shots on net and make plays. It’s a bit of everything: a change of scenery…there’s a million factors that play into what helps me play better and help the team by chipping in and winning games.”
Q: Off the ice, what are some things you like to do?
ZL: “Some golf. A lot of the guys are big into golf. No Fortnite, though. I am not big into Xbox, I kind of stay away from that and let the other guys play Fortnite all they want.”
Q: Favorite musician?
ZL: “Can it be a band? Coldplay is up there for me right now. I love Coldplay. I saw them this summer in Minneapolis. Since then I have been big on Coldplay. Other than that, I love Chris Stapleton too. “
Q: What is the craziest thing you saw in a hockey game?
ZL: “For me, it was actually a game I was playing in last year. We were playing Game 5 in the first round of the AHL playoffs and that is the deciding game in round one to move on or not. We had both our goalies get hurt the day of Game 5. One of them got hurt in warmups, and the other goalie that was going to come in got hurt putting his gear on. It was a bit of a whirlwind as a player and it didn’t end as we wanted it to, but that is for sure the craziest thing as a player I have ever seen.”
Q: Most embarrassing moment you’re willing to share?
ZL: “Honestly, one of them probably came in Chicago when I wouldn’t get on the Skydeck at Willis Tower. I wouldn’t step on to the glass. I didn’t really want to, and there were little kids beside me jumping on it and running on it. I was a little embarrassed to not get on the deck and not get on the glass.”
Although Leslie may be afraid of heights, he is soaring into his new home with the Wolves and it doesn’t seem like he will stop rising any time soon.
