| Jack McLeod was the top offensive star on the Trail Smoke Eaters when that club became the last Canadian amateur team to win the World Championship in 1961. A former professional who had spent parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers in the NHL, McLeod had had his amateur status reinstated and was playing with the Moose Jaw Canucks before being added to the Smoke Eaters roster.
Sweden was considered to have a legitimate chance of upsetting the Canadian team in the opening game of the 1961 World Championships, but McLeod's two goals led the Smokies to a 6-1 victory. He would go on to collect 10 goals as Trail went 6-0-1 during the tournament, including two goals in the 5-1 win over the Soviet Union that clinched the title for Trail in the final game.
In 1962, McLeod was added to the roster of the Galt Terriers for their appearance at the World Championships. This year, he collected 11 goals and six assists and was named to the tournament All-Star Team although the Canadian club finished a disappointing second behind Sweden in an event boycotted by the Soviets. McLeod had five goals and seven assists for Trail when the Smoke Eaters once again represented Canada at the World Championships in 1963, but the team could finish no better than fourth.
In 1965-66, Jack McLeod joined the Canadian National Team program as the club's head coach. In an effort to add more offense to the lineup, he was also inserted onto the playing roster for the 1966 World Championships. McLeod collected four goals in seven games as Canada finished third that year. He later coached the Nats to a bronze medal finish at the 1967 World Championships and at the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France in 1968.
Jack McLeod was the top offensive star on the Trail Smoke Eaters when that club became the last Canadian amateur team to win the World Championship in 1961. A former professional who had spent parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers in the NHL, McLeod had had his amateur status reinstated and was playing with the Moose Jaw Canucks before being added to the Smoke Eaters roster.
Sweden was considered to have a legitimate chance of upsetting the Canadian team in the opening game of the 1961 World Championships, but McLeod's two goals led the Smokies to a 6-1 victory. He would go on to collect 10 goals as Trail went 6-0-1 during the tournament, including two goals in the 5-1 win over the Soviet Union that clinched the title for Trail in the final game.
In 1962, McLeod was added to the roster of the Galt Terriers for their appearance at the World Championships. This year, he collected 11 goals and six assists and was named to the tournament All-Star Team although the Canadian club finished a disappointing second behind Sweden in an event boycotted by the Soviets. McLeod had five goals and seven assists for Trail when the Smoke Eaters once again represented Canada at the World Championships in 1963, but the team could finish no better than fourth. |
