Trophy would be icing on cake before I quit, says Clan ace Leavitt

ALEX LEAVITT is man who knows the end is only around the corner. Every shot is to be savoured. Every bump or crunching nudge to be enjoyed.

The Braehead Clan ace announced earlier this month that he is to hang up his skates at the end of the season, bringing his 17-year career to an end.

It was around two months ago Leavitt finally spoke to Clan head coach Ryan Finnerty that this would become the closing stages of his time as a professional ice hockey player.

And the 33-year-old, who has enjoyed two excellent seasons at Braehead, told Sport Times he is trying to squeeze as much out of his last few games as possible.

He said: “You are definitely aware that there are only a handful of games left.

“I spoke to Finner about five or six weeks ago and told him that this would be my last season, and his kind words helped me.

“It does make it more real. Coming back in the summer my wife and I had a discussion that this would probably be my last season, but only when I told Finner it become a reality. It then hits you that you are coming to the end of your career.

“It makes you appreciate it all that bit more. You want to savour those moments on the ice.”

In truth, Leavitt has done just that ever since he arrived in Scotland during the summer of 2015.

Arriving from the Ravensburg Tower stars in Germany, the Canadian quickly established himself as an influential player for Clan, notching up 21 goals and 45 assists.

The love flowing toward the Canadian, though, has been mutual.

“Coming here surpassed all my expectations immensely,” explained Leavitt.

“You don’t always associate Scotland or even the UK with being a hotbed of hockey talent, but the Elite League has been great for me and obviously so has Braehead.

“The fans are so passionate here and you just don’t realise how big the organisation is until you get here.

“Clan is everything to these supporters and it has been a privilege playing for them.”

With only five regular season games left before the play-offs, the centre knows he could have only seven more chances to pull on his skates. But he is looking for more.

“Obviously you want to go out on a high,” added Leavitt. “To win something as a way to say goodbye would be perfect.

“The team has been playing better recently and we want to get through our play-off quarterfinal and make it to Nottingham for finals weekend. We have that belief.

“It would be great to finish with a trophy. My wife and I are looking to build more as we look at real estate, so my career will be away from hockey.

“However, I’d like stay involved at some level when it comes to coaching. Right now, though, my focus is on bringing my season, and career, to a winning end.”