Fort Kent goalie Levesque joins UMaine hockey team

The University of Maine men’s hockey program has had a number of in-state players on its roster since its inception in 1977-78.

But there has never been a player from Aroostook County until now.

Freshman goalie Kirk Levesque, who played soccer, baseball and two years of basketball at Fort Kent High School while also playing 30 games a year in a high school-aged hockey league in New Brunswick, has been added to the Black Bear roster, according to Maine interim head coach Tim Whitehead.

“He came to walk-on tryouts in the fall and impressed us,” said Whitehead. “He showed us he can skate, he moves well in the net and he has good composure.”

Whitehead said Levesque will join the team Dec. 31 after it returns from the Everblades College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla. He will practice with them for the entire week leading up to the Jan. 4 home game with Providence and the Jan. 6 game in Portland against Dartmouth.

Maine has two senior goalies in Matt Yeats and Mike Morrison. Frank Doyle is a redshirt who can’t play this season because he appeared in Major Junior A games and he will be sidelined for up to five games at the outset of next season because of it.

Jimmy Howard from the National Team Development Program’s Under-18 squad has signed a National Letter of Intent and will probably be the starting goalie at the outset of next season. Levesque could be his back-up while Doyle sits out.

“We’d like to recruit a local goalie who can compete at this level and can help the team when called on [next season],” said Whitehead. “If things work out this year, Kirk could seize that opportunity.”

The 18-year-old Levesque said he’s really excited about the opportunity.

“Hockey is my first love among all sports. I just want to show what skill I do have and try to improve upon what I’m weak at,” said the 6-foot, 160-pound Levesque, who has been playing hockey since he was 7 and began playing in New Brunswick when he was 12.

“It’s going to be fun as well as an experience. I’m going to have a good time with it,” added Levesque, who is hoping to make a good enough impression to earn an invitation to camp next fall.

After Doyle returns from vacation later in January, Levesque will practice once a week according to Whitehead.

Levesque said he expects to be “all nerves” for his first practice.

“There will be an adjustment,” said Levesque, who considers being the first Aroostook County player on a Maine hockey roster “wonderful.”

Former Fort Kent athletic director Bob Stedt said Levesque is a special individual.

“He is an excellent athlete who works hard. He’s a really good kid. He would do anything you’d ask of him,” said Stedt. “In addition to playing four sports, he held down a job and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.”

Westbrook wins Payton Award

Villanova running back Brian Westbrook has been named the 15th winner of the Walter Payton Award as the best Division I-AA college football player this season. The senior rushed for 1,603 yards, caught 59 passes for 658 yards and scored 29 touchdowns for the Wildcats.

Westbrook beat out Hofstra quarterback Rocky Butler and Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson in the voting conducted by 103 I-AA sports information directors and selected media.

James Madison linebacker Derrick Lloyd received the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in I-AA. He edged Vince Huntsberger of Montana and a field of 16 finalists that included UMaine junior linebacker Stephen Cooper, who finished 10th in the voting.

In 12 games, Cooper registered 115 tackles, including 19 for a loss and six sacks. He also made three interceptions.

Pete Lembo, who led Lehigh to an 11-1 record and a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals during his first season, took the Eddie Robinson coaching award. UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove, who led Black Bears to a 9-3 record and a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals, was sixth in the voting among 16 candidates.