BUFFALO, NY Williamsville's David Leggio never got the chance to realize his dream of playing full-time in the NHL, but with NHL players of the Olympic games this year, he's getting the chance to realize the dream of playing for an Olympic medal.
"It's really meaningful... You know I'm 33-years old... I'm playing in Germany... You would never expect to make an Olympic team."
Like so many others, Leggio started out playing on a rink in his backyard. He played youth hockey in Amherst, high school at St. Joe's, junior hockey in Albany, and college at Clarkson. He was never drafted, and has spent his career playing in the minors and now in Europe with Munich.
"I'm incredibly proud to be from Buffalo. I'm incredibly proud to be a hockey player from Buffalo."
And for his mother, this whole experience made her take a trip down memory lane.
"Reminiscing and looking back at when he was small, playing with my dad just basement hockey and then driveway hockey and stick hockey with his friends, it really made me appreciate how hard he's worked and how driven he's been and I'm very proud. It was very sentimental," David's mom, Marge said.
Leggio isn't sure how much action he'll see in these Olympics, but he says he's sure he'll try to make the most of the opportunity.
"It's number one... How can you argue with the Olympics... it's the biggest stage in the world.. I'm just hoping to take advantage of it."