VEGAS (August 13, 2022) – Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced today, August 13, that the team has signed forwards Jake Leschyshyn and Paul Cotter to three-year contracts worth an average annual value at the NHL minimum salary.
Leschyshyn has appeared in a total of 41 NHL contests, all with Vegas during the 2021-22 season. The forward made his debut during the team’s second game of the season in Los Angeles against the Kings. In the AHL, Leschyshyn has played in a total of 137 games over parts of four seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights and the Chicago Wolves and posted 46 points (24 G, 22 A). The center also spent five seasons in the WHL with the Regina Pats and the Lethbridge Hurricanes and led all skaters in total faceoff attempts and faceoff wins during the 2018-19 season. Leschyshyn, the son of former NHL player Curtis Leschyshyn, was drafted by the Golden Knights in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Cotter appeared in seven NHL games with the Golden Knights over the 2021-22 campaign. The Michigan native made his debut in Vegas on November 9 against the Seattle Kraken and scored his first NHL goal in the following game on November 11 against the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena. The forward also skated in 53 AHL games last season with the Henderson Silver Knights and finished fourth on the team in scoring with 34 points (19 G, 15 A). Cotter was selected by Vegas in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Jake Leschyshyn, Forward
Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina
Height: 5-11
Weight: 192 lbs.
Age: 23
Shoots: Left
Notes:
-Has appeared in 41 NHL games, all with the Golden Knights during the 2021-22 season, and recorded six points (2 G, 4 A)
-Made NHL debut on October 14, 2021, in Los Angeles against the Kings
-Played in a total of 137 games in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights and the Chicago Wolves
-Drafted by Vegas in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft
-Spent parts of five seasons playing in the WHL with the Regina Pats and the Lethbridge Hurricanes
-Led all WHL skaters in total faceoff attempts and faceoff wins during the 2018-19 campaign
Paul Cotter, Forward
Birthplace: Canton, Michigan
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210 lbs.
Age: 22
Shoots: Left
Notes:
-Has appeared in seven NHL contests, which were all with the Golden Knights during the 2021-22 season
-Scored first-career goal during second game on November 11, 2021, against the Minnesota Wild
-Skated in 53 AHL games last season with the Henderson Silver Knights and finished fourth on the team in scoring with 34 points (19 G, 15 A)
-Spent one season in the OHL with the London Knights, posting 26 points (9 G, 17 A) in 48 games
-Selected by Vegas in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft
ABOUT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. The Vegas Golden Knights were established by founding partners Bill Foley and his family and the Maloof family. The Golden Knights were the most successful expansion franchise in North American professional sports history in 2017-18 and celebrated their fifth season in 2021-22. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.