Man of the Week: Joshua Leivo
KHL.ru’s weekly column goes on with Joshua Leivo. The Canadian forward has been in exceptional shape in January, scoring at a high pace and setting a new record with four hat-tricks in just 26 days.
Joshua Leivo just keeps on scoring. Last week, he netted his fourth hat-trick in 26 days and, in the process, became the first player to achieve four trebles in one regular KHL season. Vladimir Tarasenko had four hat-tricks in the 2011–2012 season, but one of them came in the playoffs. With his recent surge, it’s no surprise that Leivo is riding high at the top of the KHL scoring race. Moreover, he may reach a 50-goal regular season and challenge Sergei Mozyakin’s record of 55 goals in an overall season, playoffs included, set in 2016-2017.
After netting another goal in Monday’s Green Derby, Leivo played 45 games for Salavat Yulaev Ufa, had 39 tallies and 21 assists for a total of 60 points, leading the league in goals and points. His contributions have been instrumental in Salavat Yulaev’s pursuit of a top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Early Years and North American Career
Born on May 26, 1993, in Innisfil, Ontario, Canada, Joshua Leivo began his hockey journey in Barrie. His potential was evident early on, leading to his selection by the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League in the 11th round. Leivo quickly made an impact, and his performance caught the attention of NHL scouts, and he was subsequently selected 86th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Leivo continued to develop his game in the OHL, splitting his time between the Sudbury Wolves and the Kitchener Rangers. Transitioning to professional hockey, Leivo joined the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs. Over several seasons, he oscillated between the AHL and NHL, playing for teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues. In the NHL, Leivo appeared in 265 games, recording 42 goals and 51 assists for 93 points.
Transition to the KHL
In September 2023, Leivo embarked on a new chapter by signing a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev, making an impact right away with 38 (15+23) points in 40 regular-season games in his first campaign in Ufa. He also finished Salavat Yulaev’s playoff run with nine points in just six games. After renewing his ties with the Ufa team, he returned even stronger. His recent four hat-tricks within a span of 26 days set a new KHL regular-season record.
Formidable international teammates
This season, Leivo has been a key component of a formidable international line alongside fellow Canadian Sheldon Rempal and American Alexander Chmelevski, and also with Nathan Todd. Rempal and Chmelevski have often complemented Leivo’s scoring touch with their playmaking abilities, contributing to Salavat Yulaev’s offensive dominance. Recently, forward Scott Wilson joined the team from Metallurg – he’s been good as well, with eleven points in his first eleven games wearing his new jersey. With 154 goals, Salavat Yulaev only trails SKA (177 goals) and Traktor (162) in league-wide scoring.
Statistical dominance
Leivo has been dominating the league’s statistics since the early season and keeps on doing so now. It’s hard to think that any player could remove his crown as the league’s top sc
