NHL Scouting Combine Part II: Mark Leach, Toronto Maple Leafs amateur scouting director

NHL Scouting Combine Part II: Mark Leach, Toronto Maple Leafs amateur scouting director

Author: National Hockey League June 4, 2026 Duration: 18:21
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and one of the people responsible for making that selection, Maple Leafs amateur scouting director Mark Leach, joined NHL Draft Class live at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Leach discussed how big an impact it is having the No. 1 pick, how close the Maple Leafs will be to making a decision following their interviews at the combine, how his relationship with new Toronto general manager John Chayka is growing and more.

Ever wonder about the journey from a promising teenager to a name called at the podium? NHL Draft Class, presented by the National Hockey League, pulls back the curtain on that exact process. This isn't just a rundown of rankings; it's a series of conversations that get into the grit and character of the next generation of hockey stars. You'll hear directly from the prospects themselves-their training routines, personal motivations, and the nerves of draft day. The audio goes beyond the stats with analysis from scouts and league insiders who break down what makes each player unique, from a defenseman's hockey IQ to a forward's release. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting a backstage pass to the most pivotal moment in a young athlete's career. It captures the anticipation, the strategy from team war rooms, and the raw emotion of dreams becoming reality. For anyone fascinated by the future of the sport and the human stories behind the jerseys, this series offers a compelling, insider's perspective on how a draft class is built.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

NHL Draft Class
Podcast Episodes
S6: Nick Smith, NHL Central Scouting; Top OHL prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Ontario Hockey League, among them Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh, Oshawa forward…
S6: John Williams, NHL Central Scouting; WHL top prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
John Williams of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Western Hockey League, among them Medicine Hat forward Cayden Lindstrom, and w…
S6: Pat Cullen, NHL Central Scouting; Top USHL/NTDP prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:19
Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the United States Hockey League and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, a…
S6: Mock Draft 1.0; NHL Draft Lottery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:49
With the San Jose Sharks winning the NHL Draft Lottery and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, NHL Draft Class hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale go over their first mock draft, for the 16 teams in the…
S6: J-F Damphousse, NHL Central Scouting; Top QMJHL prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:07
J-F Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, among them Chicoutimi right wing Maxim…
S6: Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting: Top goalie prospects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:51
Al Jensen, the goalie guru of NHL Central Scouting, joins the podcast to discuss the top goalies available, including Mikhail Yegorov of Omaha of the USHL and what pushed him up to No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranki…