Potvin, known as “the Cat”, was an original Baby Leaf and while he spent only one season in St. John’s, it was a memorable one as he helped the club to their only Calder Cup Finals appearance. Drafted in the second round, 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1990 National Hockey League entry draft, Potvin played 35 games for the St. John’s Maple Leafs, compiling a 2.93 GAA in 1991-92. For his efforts, the Anjou, Quebec native was awarded the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award (rookie of the year), the Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy as the top goaltender in the AHL and selected to the AHL First All-Star Team. During that season, Potvin was called up to the NHL and saw brief action in four games, compiling a 2.28 GAA and a .933 save percentage. Potvin went on to a stellar 14-year NHL career.
The Toronto Maple Leafs picked Lehoux in the ninth round (179th overall) in the 1991 NHL entry draft. In 1991-92, he joined the Baby Leafs and with the exception of a short stint with the Brantford Smoke of the Colonial Hockey League, he played in St. John’s until 1997-98. An extremely popular player due to a strong work ethic and aggressive style of play, the Disraeli, Quebec native served as team captain for many seasons before departing to play the rest of his career overseas.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased in person at the Mile One Centre box office, by phone at 709-576-7657 or online at www.mileonecentre.com.
