Thailand's lone pro hockey player secures his Grand Rapids spot. Kannok Leipert inks a one-year deal, aiming to build on his career-best assists and push for the NHL.
Defenseman Alex Kannok Leipert has secured his place on the Grand Rapids Griffins blue line, signing a one-year contract extension with the club.
Kannok Leipert, 24, joined the Griffins following a breakout 2024-25 season with the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League and has continued to build on that momentum. Born in Thailand, he is the only professional ice hockey player from his country and remains focused on pushing his game to the next level as he works toward an NHL opportunity.
So far this season, Kannok Leipert has recorded nine points on one goal and eight assists, along with a plus-seven rating in 39 games with Grand Rapids. His eight assists already represent a career high, and he is tied for third among AHL defensemen with two shorthanded assists, highlighting his growing impact in all situations.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Kannok Leipert appeared in a career-high 59 games and posted 11 points on four goals and seven assists. He also accumulated 93 penalty minutes and finished with a minus-one rating. Known for his physical style of play and leadership qualities at a young age, he established career bests across multiple statistical categories.
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Originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Kannok Leipert spent the first three years of his professional career with the Abbotsford Canucks. In that span, he played 123 regular-season games, recording 12 points and 140 penalty minutes while posting a plus-10 rating. He also appeared in two playoff games in 2023 and added an assist.
Before turning professional, Kannok Leipert served as captain of the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. He was a dependable presence on the back end throughout his junior career, totaling 83 points on 21 goals and 62 assists, along with 240 penalty minutes and a plus-47 rating in 219 games.
The contract extension keeps Kannok Leipert in Grand Rapids as the Griffins look to maintain stability and depth on defense while continuing to develop players within the Detroit Red Wings pipeline.
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