Monarchs re-sign Matt Leitner

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Manchester Monarchs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Rich Seeley announced that the team has signed forward Matt Leitner for the 2016-17 season.

The Monarchs are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings and the American Hockey League's Ontario Reign.

Leitner, 25, returns to the Monarchs after completing his first professional season split between the Monarchs and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and Reign. While in Manchester, Leitner appeared in 51 games and scored 49 points (12g-37a). Despite missing 21 ECHL games, Leitner finished the season 10th in rookie scoring, and his 37 assists were tied for third among first-year players.

The native of Los Alamitos, Calif. made his AHL debut on Jan. 23, skating for the Admirals, and recorded his first AHL point on Feb. 27 on an assist while playing for the Reign against the Texas Stars. In all, Leitner played 16 AHL games and recorded four assists.

Leitner played collegiately at Minnesota State University-Mankato, and finished his four seasons second on the school’s career scoring list with 162 points (49g-113a). Following his senior season, Leitner was named a 2014-15 AHCA/CCM First Team All-American (West), and finished his career with the most assists in school history. Leitner was also the only player to lead the team in scoring four consecutive seasons.