Former Mississippi defenseman Jay Leach is playing for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and remains in the hunt for the 2005 Calder Cup.

As a rookie in 2001-02, Leach appeared in 70 games with Mississippi scoring three goals and adding 13 assists along with 110 penalty minutes. During the 2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the 6-foot-4 and 225-pound Leach netted a goal and registered an assist, while accumulating eight penalty minutes in 10 postseason games.

In his fourth professional season, Leach played in 11 regular season games in 2004-05 with the Trenton Titans of the ECHL, where he picked up two assists and 17 penalty minutes. A native of Syracuse, New York, Leach has suited up mainly for Providence this season. In 62 regular season games with the Bruins, Leach notched four goals, five assists and 92 penalty minutes.

During the 2005 Calder Cup Playoff run with Providence, Leach, who was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the fifth round, 115th overall, in the 1998 National Hockey League Entry Draft, has an impressive plus/minus of +8 in 11 postseason games.

Leach has helped Providence defeat the Manchester Monarchs in six games and the Lowell Lock Monsters in five contests to give the Bruins a final four appearance.

Providence goes up against the Philadelphia Phantoms in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals beginning with Game 1 at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

Season ticket packages for the Sea Wolves 10th Anniversary Season getting underway in October are on sale by calling (228) 275-WOLF.

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