University of Maine right wing Teddy Purcell, who was Hockey East’s top-scoring freshman with 16 goals and 24 assists in 37 games, has been named the league’s Rookie of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches.

Purcell was tied for fourth in scoring among the country’s freshmen.

“He’s an outstanding player,” said Boston College coach Jerry York. “He’s one of the few freshmen who can make a major impact early. He and Leveille were dynamic together.”

Meanwhile, Maine senior center Michel Leveille was named to the league’s first team while senior left wing Josh Soares and defenseman Mike Lundin were second-team picks.

Leveille was a second-team selection last year.

Lundin also received the Len Ceglarski Sportmanship Award as he was assessed only one minor penalty in 37 games.

Purcell is the seventh Black Bear to win or share Hockey East’s top rookie honor and third in the last five years. Goalie Jimmy Howard was the Rookie of the Year in 2002-03 and Leveille earned the award the following year.

Purcell led Maine with five game-winning goals and he also had four game-winning assists. He was second on the team in power-play goals with seven.

Purcell had 11 multiple-point games and points streaks of 10 and seven games.

“Purcell skates his wing very well. He shoots it well, he has a quick release,” UMass Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald said. “He protects the puck and utilizes his size very well. He has proven he can play with good players and he makes his linemates better. He can rise to the occasion and play well in key situations.”

Northeastern coach Greg Cronin said Purcell has a great mind.

“He’s a cerebral player. He thinks the game like an NHLer,” said Cronin. “He’s a very efficient player. He doesn’t waste energy.”

Purcell said, “It feels good, but I wish I knew we were in the [NCAA] Tournament.”

Maine is 21-14-2 and is on the bubble.

The 6-foot-3, 177-pound Purcell, a native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, said he was surprised by the honor.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t really think about it. I thought there might be an age criteria,” said Purcell, who is 21.

He said he didn’t expect to put up the numbers he has.

“I thought there would be a feeling-out process, I would learn slowly, and I wouldn’t contribute as much,” said Purcell. “I owe lot of the credit to the coaching staff and my teammates.”

Leveille had a career-high 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points, another career-high; and Soares had a career-high 19 goals to go with 22 assists.

Lundin had career highs in goals (6) and points (19).

Leveille and Soares were tied for third in scoring overall in Hockey East and Purcell was fifth. Soares was second in points in league play with 32 (16 & 16).

“Leveille has a lot of skill and he has really improved his shot,” said Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy.

Providence coach Tim Army said Soares “always plays hard, has good speed, and takes the puck to the net. I’ve always admired his desire to compete in the scoring zone [in front of the net]. A lot of guys don’t want to go into that area.”

Dennehy called Lundin steady and said he does a lot of little things that don’t get noticed but are important.