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The Elmira Horse and Buggies have been working extra hard.

That's because their two top centremen, Marin Dascalu and Oleg Vinnikov, have been missing from the lineup.

However, Clinton Leach and Johan Grant are okay with that.

"It's been a cool ride so far," said Leach, currently playing in Vinnikov's second-line position. "I haven't scored my first yet, but it'll come soon, I think."

Leach came over from the Guelph Gryphons hockey club in league 1.I. He's been a part of the Buggies organization for 20 days now, and has begun turning heads.

"He seems to have a real quiet style of play," said his current line mate and right-winger Marts Sidrabins. "He has this knack of showing up on the scene without being noticed, which, ironically, gets him noticed."

Sidrabins and Leach became quick friends, and both have a great respect for the other.

"There's a reason why Marts was a top scorer for the team last year," said Leach. "He has an atmosphere around him that just makes you feel like you're right where you should be, even if that means he needs to give you a smack in the head."

The second line has combined for 9 of the team's 19 goals, 16 of the team's 38 assists, and a plus/minus rating of -5. Leach and Ludwig Mester are both without goals through the first 5 games this season, though Mester has been had an all-star selection this year along with top goalie Normunds Vasks.

"Clinton has been scoring in the friendly games, so we're not concerned that he's in a slump or anything," said head coach Isaac Ferraro. "You need to remember, he's new to the team, he was thrown in earlier than we expected to put him in, and he's been helping out the top-scoring line on our team. He's just fine."

Growing up in Collingwood, Leach always dreamed of playing for a top-level team. He was brought on to the Guelph Gryphons through the sports academy, but the roster was so full of top-level players that Leach was dealt to Elmira, where all sides knew he was going to a good place to hone his skills.

"In a couple of years, he'll probably be a good enough player to be a captain, even if it's not here," said Ryan Archambault, the longest-serving Buggy.

Grant is the one the management tapped to head up the front line. He's been relishing the time up there, but feels he's left a little bit on the table.

"I've made a few mistakes that have costed us scoring chances, but each time it's been a different mistake, so it's not something that's recurring," said Grant. "We are improving, without a doubt."

Grant was raised in Gander, Newfoundland, and is frequently addressed as "Rick", due to his uncanny resemblance to fellow Newfoundlander, Rick Mercer.

"They get a good kick out of it," said Grant. "One time they changed my jersey for a friendly game last year and had Rick's last name on the back instead of mine. I didn't have any clue anything was up until some kid turned to his dad after the game as we were walking off and said, 'Look dad, it's Rick Mercer!' I took my jersey off after and saw the name and everyone started laughing."

It's that kind of atmosphere that has allowed the transition into the top line to be a little easier for Grant. The line has combined for 5 goals and 10 assists, and a plus/minus rating of +14.

"Johan has been a part of our organization now for almost a year," said Ferraro. "He's been a great go-to guy when we get injuries, and when the time comes, he'll be centering his own line."

Grant's career has seen him score 9 goals and 17 assists in 61 regular season games, with a +7 rating. At just 18-years old, he's still got lots of game left in him.

"They haven't seen the best of me yet. Just wait."

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