“Straight Shooting on Hockey and on Life” Now on Sale, with Book Signings in Langhorne, Exton, Moorestown, King of Prussia & Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – November 24, 2015 – Reggie Leach, one of the legends of Philadelphia sports and the National Hockey League, due in no small part to his play on the Stanley Cup-winning 1975 Philadelphia Flyers, will return to Philadelphia in early December to meet his fans and sign copies of his new book, The Riverton Rifle: My Story – Straight Shooting on Hockey and On Life.

Leach’s memoir, which went on sale in the United States November 10^th, is his tumultuous and inspirational life story, as told by the man himself. Published by Greystone Books, The Riverton Rifle is available at booksellers nationwide.

Leach’s schedule of appearances in the Philadelphia area includes:

·         Tuesday, December 1^st at Dynasty Sports in the Oxford Valley Mall (Langhorne, PA) from 7 to 9 p.m.;

·         Wednesday, December 2^nd at Barnes & Noble (Exton, PA) from 7 to 9 p.m.;

·         Thursday, December 3^rd at the Sports Vault in the Moorestown (NJ) Mall from 7 to 9 p.m.;

·         Friday, December 4^th at the Sports Vault in the King of Prussia (PA) Mall from 7 to 9 p.m.;

·         And Saturday, December 5^th, at the Philadelphia Flyers game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Wells Fargo Center (7:30 p.m. game time).

Interview, photo and video opportunities for Leach during his visit to Philadelphia are available to qualified members of the media.  Contact Jim DeLorenzo at Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations by e-mail at jim@jhdenterprises.com or by phone at 215-266-5943 with media requests.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame in 1992, Leach is beloved by Philadelphia sports fans for his outstanding play at right wing for the 1975 Stanley Cup winning champion Flyers, and for his part in the legendary “LCB Line” for the Flyers in the ‘70s (Leach, Bobby Clarke and Bill Barber).

Leach’s new book, The Riverton Rifle is an intimate autobiography that lays bare the decisions that led him to become one of the best snipers in hockey history.

Nicknamed the Riverton Rifle for his thrilling speed and deadly shooting skills, Leach relied on the support of his community to overcome a childhood marked by poverty and rise through the NHL ranks, playing for the Stanley Cup-winning 1975 Philadelphia Flyers.

Through Leach’s own recollections, The Riverton Rifle traces his trajectory from humble beginnings to NHL stardom, and follows the dramatic fall caused by drinking and his subsequent rebirth as a successful businessman, family man, and pillar of the Aboriginal community.

Born in Riverton, Manitoba, Leach is an NHL legend, an inspirational speaker, and a supporter of youth initiatives. As a member of the infamous Broad Street Bullies-era Philadelphia Flyers, he set goal scoring records that still stand today. In his post-hockey life, Leach is well known for steering Aboriginal youth towards making positive life choices through his Shoot to Score hockey school, which he runs with his son Jamie. Leach is a proud member of the Berens River First Nation, and today resides on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

Leach was drafted third overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. Boston traded Leach, Rick Smith and Bob Stewart to California for Carol Vadnais and Don O'Donoghue on February 23, 1972. After playing three seasons in Oakland, the Golden Seals traded Leach to Philadelphia for Larry Wright, Al MacAdam and 1974 1st Rounder (Ron Chipperfield) on May 24, 1974. He finished his NHL career with a one season stop with the Detroit Red Wings.

His best season was the 1975–76 season with the Philadelphia Flyers, when he set career highs in goals (61), points (91), game-winning goals (11), and plus-minus with a +73 rating. Leach's 61 goals earned him the goal-scoring title (now the Richard Trophy) for that season, as well as the current Flyers franchise record for most goals in a season.

He is best remembered as being one of very few players, and to date, the only skater (non-goaltender), to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, as MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs, as a member of the losing team in the final, a distinction he achieved while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers in 1976. The Flyers were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1976 final, but he won the trophy after setting a record for most goals in a single playoff season, with 19. (The record has since been tied by Edmonton's Jari Kurri although Leach achieved this record in fewer games than Kurri - Leach in 16 games and Kurri in 19 games.)

During that same playoff season Leach recorded a five-goal game vs. the Boston Bruins, a record he shares today with Maurice Richard, Darryl Sittler, Mario Lemieux and Newsy Lalonde. Also, his total of 80 goals for the season and playoffs together set a new NHL record which stood until 1980-81 when Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders scored 85.

He played 934 career NHL games, scoring 381 goals and 285 assists for 666 points. Leach was also part of the Flyers' 35-game unbeaten streak in 1980, which is a record that still stands today, as well as the Flyer's home game unbeaten streak of 22 games in the same year. Leach also played for Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup helping to win the championship. He was also a member of the NHL All-Star teams in 1976 and 1980.

Additional information about Leach’s new book, The Riverton Rifle, is available online at http://www.greystonebooks.com/book_details.php?isbn_upc=9781771641371.

Philadelphia Media Contact:  Jim DeLorenzo, Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations, 215-266-5943, jim@jhdenterprises.com