UM’s Leveille top rookie in Hockey East

When Michel Leveille returned to the University of Maine from Christmas break last year, he had second thoughts about staying.

The redshirt wasn’t allowed to practice with the team under NCAA guidelines and he gave serious thought to returning to his native Levis, Quebec.

“But [fellow redshirt] Jeff Mushaluk told me it wasn’t worth it to return home. He said we were halfway through. I’m glad he said that to me,” said Leveille Thursday after being named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year.

Leveille was also chosen to the All-Rookie team and sophomore goalie Jimmy Howard, last year’s Rookie of the Year, was selected to the All-Hockey East first team.

Maine left wing Todd Jackson, right wing Colin Shields and defenseman Prestin Ryan, all seniors, were named to the second team and senior goalie Frank Doyle was an honorable mention.

Jackson was named the league’s best defensive forward.

Joining Howard on the first team were Boston College’s Ryan Shannon and Tony Voce; Player of the Year Steve Saviano of New Hampshire and defensemen Thomas Pock of UMass and Stephen Wood of Providence. Saviano also won the sportsmanship award.

BC’s Jerry York beat out Maine’s Tim Whitehead for coach of the year.

Northeastern won the team sportsmanship award; NU goalie Keni Gibson was the three stars award-winner, beating out Howard, and Alberts was chosen the best defensive defenseman ahead of Ryan.

The coaches chose the award-winners.

It is just the second time Maine has had back-to-back Rookies of the Year. The only previous time was in 1987-88 (Mario Thyer) and 1988-89 (Scott Pellerin shared it with Providence’s Rob Gaudreau).

“I’m really proud of it and I’m kind of surprised. I didn’t look at stats all year long,” said Leveille, who is second on the team in scoring with 37 points on five goals and 32 assists.

His 32 assists are second best in the nation.

“All the guys are bugging me. They say I might be the oldest rookie [to ever win the award],” quipped Leveille, who will turn 23 on April 3.

He credited Whitehead with “giving me confidence early in the year” when he wasn’t burying the puck.

Leveille didn’t score his first goal until Jan. 6 against Merrimack.

“He made a positive impact right from the beginning,” said Whitehead. “He has been remarkably consistent, especially considering he didn’t play any hockey last year. And I’m most proud of how he adapted to college off the ice. He’s an honor student.”

English is Leveille’s second language behind French.

“I played against him in British Columbia and he did wonders with the puck. He still does,” said Maine junior winger Matt Greyeyes.

Leveille has nine game-winning points and 13 power play points.

Howard has been nothing short of sensational with a 1.17 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage which lead the nation in both categories.

“I was surprised because I didn’t play all that many games. I was out over a month with my knee injury,” said Howard, who has shared the goaltending with Doyle. “This is quite an honor. A lot of guys in this league deserve the award as much as I do.”

He said the keys to his season have been “just going game to game, working my rear end off between games, keeping things simple and having fun.”

He added that his teammates have played well in front of him, making his job easier.

“He’s so solid and so consistent. His strength is his ability to read the play and be in the right position,” said UMass-Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald. “His team plays with the highest level of bravado and confidence because he’s in net.”

Shields leads the Bears in scoring with 42 points, including 14 on the power play. He has 17 goals and 25 assists and he is plus-28; Jackson has 20 goals, including a team-high six game-winners, and 12 assists and is plus-21 and Ryan leads the team at plus-32 while notching three goals and 17 assists.