"Brady is a solid, two-way player with some grit," said Butters. "He was impressive at the Lightning's Prospects Camp last week and appears to be progressing well this summer. He will need some adjustment to playing at the AHL level, but we feel that he will develop into an effective player for the Admirals next season."

Leavold, 20, is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Last season, Leavold closed the books on his junior career with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets. He appeared in 67 games with the Rockets, notching 27 goals and 42 assists to go along with 138 penalty minutes. He led Kelowna in penalty minutes, ranked second in scoring and assists and was third with both a +21 plus/minus rating and eight power play goals. He also scored six goals and added two assists in seven playoff games, leading the team in goal scoring.

Leavold made his professional debut with the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings last season, posting two goals and two penalty minutes in three regular season games. He then registered one assist and two penalty minutes in two Kelly Cup Playoff contests for the Salmon Kings.

Leavold also appeared in two games for the Swift Current Broncos last season before being acquired by Kelowna, going scoreless with 25 penalty minutes with Swift Current. He had been with the Broncos for the first four seasons of his WHL career. In 200 career WHL games, Leavold registered 47 goals, 73 assists and 390 penalty minutes. In 13 career WHL post-season games, he netted seven goals, three assists and 24 penalty minutes.

Leavold also posted seven goals and 15 assists in 24 games with the BCHL's Burnaby Express during the 2005-06 season.