Joey Laleggia Continues to Pickup the Hardware
Joey Laleggia will have to make more room for the trophy case back home in Burnaby. The former Vee was given one more award on Thursday, named College Hockey News Rookie of the Year.
The Press Release:
PRINCETON, N.J. — There were some very good college freshmen this season, but when it was said and done, College Hockey News selected Denver defenseman Joey LaLeggia as Rookie of the Year.
Helping a banged up defense get through to the Final Five championship game, LaLeggia led all freshmen defensemen in goals (11) and points (38) this season. In fact, he is second among all freshmen in points, and fourt in points per game among all NCAA defensemen.
The highlights of the season for LaLeggia, a native of Burnaby, British Columbia, was an eight-game point-scoring streak and setting up Jason Zucker’s game-winning goal in overtime of the quarterfinals of the Final Five.
LaLeggia, 5-foot-10, also leads Denver defensemen with a plus-15 rating, a backline that includes four NHL Draft picks. LaLeggia, who will turn 20 in June, was undrafted last season.
LaLeggia played in junior for Penticton of the BCHL.
Laleggia was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year and also named to the WCHA First-Team and All-Rookie Teams earlier this month. Laleggia and the Pioneers are gearing up for their first round matchup with Ferris State on Friday in the Round of 16 in the NCAA Frozen Four National Championship Tournament.
Alumni Three Stars: Feb 13th
1. Travis Ouellette Ferris State Bulldogs / CCHA
The junior forward made his presence known in a huge weekend sweep of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. On Friday, Ouellette had two assists in a 3-0 blanking of the Irish; he and his team followed that up with a 5-1 win on Saturday. You can’t say their bark is louder than their bite, as the Bulldogs have vaulted from sixth to first in the USCHO.com NCAA National Poll. The Bulldogs have fashioned at 20-8-4 record; Ouellette has nine goals and 21 points in 32 games.
2. Joey Laleggia Denver Pioneers / WHCA
The dream season continues for the former Vees rear-guard; Laleggia had four more points in weekend sweep of Minnesota, on the road. On Friday, Laleggia recorded two assists, including setting up the game-winning goal in a 5-3 victory of the Gophers. A night later Laleggia had two more helpers, including the apple on the winner in a dramatic 4-3 overtime triumph. The reigning National Player of the Month, now has 10 goals and 33 points in 30 games with DU. Burnaby Joe-y sits third in team scoring and second in WCHA Defensemen scoring behind Wisconsin’s Justin Schultz.
3. Denver Manderson Wheeling Nailers / ECHL
When he’s in the line-up, Denver is making a difference. In his first season within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, Denver has 13 goals and 28 points in 39 games on the Atlantic Division leading Wheeling Nailers. This past weekend, Manderson had two goals and three points in as many games, as the Nailers picked up two wins and five of a possible six points. On Saturday, Manderson had an assist in a 4-2 win and a goal and two points in a 7-5 victory on Sunday.
The Vees have 30 active Alumni playing in NCAA division one hockey; here’s what they and other Alumni have done in the past seven days.
ALUMNI SCOREBOARD
NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets (16-34-6) Ryan Johansen F (Rookie) 45GP 9-8-17
AHL
Charlotte Checkers (29-18-2-2) Zac Dalpe F (2nd year) 31GP 12-7-19
Portland Pirates (23-21-3-3) Brett Hextall F (Rookie) 43=6GP 5-7-12
Oklahoma City Barons (32-12-2-3) Tanner House F (Rookie) 44GP 4-9-13
ECHL
Florida Everblades (23-20-2-4) Deron Cousens D (Rookie) 35GP 2-6-8
Wheeling Nailers (28-16-2-2) Denver Manderson F (Rookie) 39GP 13-15-28
Bakersfield Condors (13-32-4-1) Evan Trupp F (Rookie) 32GP 5-17-22
CHL
Fort Wayne Komets (29-15-2) Bryant Molle D (Rookie) 46GP 1-4-5
SPHL
Pensacola Ice Flyers (20-17-3) Corey Milan G (Rookie) 23GP 7-10-3 3.50GAA .871%
WCHA
Denver University Pioneers (15-9-4) *Beau Bennett F (sophomore) 10GP 4-9-13
*Injured (wrist) Out Indefinitely
Denver University Pioneers (17-9-4) Joey Laleggia D (freshman) 30GP 10-23-33
Michigan Tech Huskies (13-14-3) Alex MacLeod F (Senior) 29GP 4-8-12
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (16-11-2) Mark MacMillan F (freshman) 29GP 4-8-12
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (16-11-2) Brendon O’Donnell F (freshman) 17GP 5-1-6
St. Cloud State Huskies (12-14-4) Garrett Milan (freshman) 19GP 1-0-1
St. Cloud State Huskies (12-14-4) Joey Holka (freshman) 25GP 1-1-2
Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (19-7-4) Derik Johnson (freshman) 10GP 1-4-5
Alaska-Anchorage Sea Wolves (7-19-2) Andrew Pickering (sophomore) 2GP 0-0-0
Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (13-11-6) James Polk (freshman) 20GP 0-1-1
HOCKEY EAST
Boston College Eagles (18-10-1) Isaac MacLeod D (sophomore) 29GP 0-4-4
U-Mass Minutemen (10-13-5) Eric Filiou F (sophomore) 22GP 1-3-4
Northeastern Huskies (11-14-3) Bryan Mountain G (sophomore) No Games Played
Vermont Catamounts (5-22-1) Kyle Mountain (freshman) 19GP 1-1-2
CCHA
Alaska Nanooks (11-15-4) Kaare Odegard D (junior) 24GP 0-3-3
Bowling Green Falcons (9-18-5) Ryan Viselli F (sophomore) 25GP 3-1-4
Ferris State Bulldogs (20-8-4) Travis Ouellette F (junior) 32GP 9-12-21
Miami RedHawks (17-13-2) Curtis McKenzie F (junior) 31GP 4-10-14
Michigan State Spartans (16-12-4) Trevor Nill F (senior) 32P 2-4-6
Northern Michigan Wildcats (14-10-6) Jake Johnson F (sophomore) 19GP 0-1-1
Ohio State Buckeyes (15-11-5) Devon Krogh D (junior) 31GP 2-11-13
Ohio State Buckeyes (15-11-5) Cory Schneider F (senior) 31GP 4-1-5
Ohio State Buckeyes (15-11-5) Alex Szczechura F (sophomore) 22GP 4-4-8
ECAC
Clarkson Golden Knights (14-13-5) Ben Sexton F (sophomore) 20GP 8-17-25
Colgate Raiders (17-10-3) Alex Evin G (Senior) 9GP (5-2-1) 2.40 GAA .917%
Colgate Raiders (17-10-3) Austin Smith F (Senior) 30GP 32-15-47
Harvard Crimson (8-7-10) Eric Kroshus F (Senior) 21GP 7-8-15
Princeton Tigers (7-12-6) Sean Bonar G (Sophomore) 15GP (4-8-3) 3.02 GAA .898%
Rensselaer Engineers (8-19-3) Bo Dolan D (Sophomore) GP 25 1-4-5
Rensselaer Engineers (8-19-3) Luke Curadi D (Freshman) 12GP 0-0-0
Alumni Three Stars
1. Austin Smith, Colgate Raiders ECAC: The senior from Dallas, Texas continues to tear up the ECAC. Smith scored four goals, yes FOUR goals, in a 8-3 win last Friday over RPI. The Stars draft pick leads the NCAA in goals (30) and sits second in points (45). Remember, you can go online and vote Smith for the Hobey Baker Award here (fan poll).
2. Evan Trupp, Bakersfield Condors ECHL: In his first season in the ECHL, Trupp is fashioning himself an impressive rookie campaign. Trupp, who started with Cincinnati, had a big night on Wednesday, scoring once and finishing with three points in a win over Utah. The former standout at North Daktoa stat line reads 3-16-19; four points in three games.
3. Isaac MacLeod, Boston College Hockey East: His contributions aren’t measured on the scoreboard but MacLeod is having a solid sophomore season for the Eagles. MacLeod had one assist in BC’s 7-1 win over Northeastern in the Beanpot Semi-Finals and has three assists in his last four games. For the season the Nelson native has four points, all assists, in 28 games; helping Boston College to a 17-10-1 record.
ALUMNI SCOREBOARD
The Penticton Vees have 30 current alumni playing in the NCAA; here’s an update on how they and others are doing.
NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets (15-32-6) Ryan Johansen F (Rookie) 43GP 9-8-17
AHL
Charlotte Checkers (28-16-2-2) Zac Dalpe F (2nd year) 28GP 11-7-18
Portland Pirates (23-19-2-3) Brett Hextall F (Rookie) 43GP 5-7-12
Oklahoma City Barons (30-12-2-3) Tanner House F (Rookie) 43GP 4-9-13
ECHL
Florida Everblades (22-20-2-3) Deron Cousens D (Rookie) 34GP 2-6-8
Wheeling Nailers (26-16-2-1) Denver Manderson F (Rookie) 36GP 11-14-25
Bakersfield Condors (11-32-4-1) Evan Trupp F (Rookie) 30GP 3-16-19
WCHA
Denver University Pioneers (15-9-4) *Beau Bennett F (sophomore) 10GP 4-9-13
*Injured (wrist) Out Indefinitely
Denver University Pioneers (15-9-4) Joey Laleggia D (freshman) 28GP 10-19-29
Michigan Tech Huskies (13-13-2) Alex MacLeod F (Senior) 27GP 4-8-12
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (15-10-2) Mark MacMillan F (freshman) 27GP 4-6-10
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (15-10-2) Brendon O’Donnell F (freshman) 17GP 5-1-6 * About to undergo season ending Shoulder surgery.
St. Cloud State Huskies (12-14-4) Garrett Milan (freshman) 19GP 1-0-1
St. Cloud State Huskies (12-14-4) Joey Holka (freshman) 25GP 1-1-2
Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (18-6-4) Derik Johnson (freshman) 9GP 1-4-5
Alaska-Anchorage Sea Wolves (7-17-2) Andrew Pickering (sophomore) 1GP 0-0-*WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award recipient
Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (12-11-5) James Polk (freshman) 18GP 0-1-1
HOCKEY EAST
Boston College Eagles (17-10-1) Isaac MacLeod D (sophomore) 28GP 0-4-4
U-Mass Minutemen (9-12-5) Eric Filiou F (sophomore) 20GP 1-3-4
Northeastern Huskies (11-12-3) Bryan Mountain G (sophomore) No Games Played
Vermont Catamounts (5-21-1) Kyle Mountain (freshman) 18GP 1-1-2
CCHA
Alaska Nanooks (10-14-4) Kaare Odegard D (junior) 22GP 0-3-3
Bowling Green Falcons (9-16-5) Ryan Viselli F (sophomore) 23GP 3-1-4
Ferris State Bulldogs (18-8-4) Travis Ouellette F (junior) 30GP 9-10-19
Miami RedHawks (15-13-2) Curtis McKenzie F (junior) 29GP 4-9-13
Michigan State Spartans (15-11-4) Trevor Nill F (senior) 30P 2-3-5
Northern Michigan Wildcats (12-10-6) Jake Johnson F (sophomore) 18GP 0-1-1
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-10-5) Devon Krogh D (junior) 29GP 2-11-13
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-10-5) Cory Schneider F (senior) 29GP 3-1-4
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-10-5) Alex Szczechura F (sophomore) 22GP 4-4-8
ECAC
Clarkson Golden Knights (13-12-5) Ben Sexton F (sophomore) 18GP 7-14-21
Colgate Raiders (15-10-3) Alex Evin G (Senior) 8GP (5-2-1) 2.10 GAA .927%
Colgate Raiders (15-10-3) Austin Smith F (Senior) 28GP 30-15-45
Harvard Crimson (7-7-9) Eric Kroshus F (Senior) 20GP 7-7-14
Princeton Tigers (7-10-6) Sean Bonar G (Sophomore) 13GP (4-6-3) 2.94 GAA .899%
Rensselaer Engineers (7-19-2) Bo Dolan D (Sophomore) GP 23 1-3-4
Rensselaer Engineers (7-19-2) Luke Curadi D (Freshman) GP 10 0-0-0
What a year and a half for Joey Laleggia; named the top BCHL Interior Conference defenseman and selected to the BCHL All-Star team last spring and now making waves in the WCHA.
The freshman is turning heads in Denver with his stellar play for the Pioneers. Laleggia is proving that he can produce like he did at the junior “A” level.
From the BCHL site:
University of Denver defeneman and Penticton Vees alum Joey LaLeggia has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 17. The Burnaby native, who recorded five points, earned a +2 rating and had six hits and two blocked shots, helped the Pioneers forge a two-game league sweep over visiting Bemidji State last weekend, .
A 5-10, 180-pound freshman, LaLeggia netted a go-ahead goal and one assist in DU’s 6-3 triumph over the Beavers at Magness Arena last Friday (Jan. 13). He then came back on Saturday (Jan. 14) to assist on all three Denver goals in a 3-2 comeback win over BSU, including one on teammate Jason Zucker’s game-winning goal at 11:50 of the third period.
LaLeggia, who leads all NCAA Division I rookie blueliners in points (24), goals (9) and assists (15) this season, has also put together a six-game point-scoring streak during which he has 11 points (3g, 8a). He also ranks second among WCHA defenseman in goals and third in points.
In two seasons in Penticton, Laleggia recorded 33 goals and 114 assists in 114 games.
ALUMNI SCOREBOARD
NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets (12-27-5) Ryan Johansen F (Rookie) 38GP 7-8-15 18PIM
AHL
Charlotte Checkers (22-14-2-2) Zac Dalpe F (2nd year) 22GP 8-6-14 6PIM
Portland Pirates (18-16-2-3) Brett Hextall F (Rookie) 35GP 4-6-10 36PIM
Oklahoma City Barons (24-11-2-3) Tanner House F (Rookie) 37GP 4-7-11 19PIM
ECHL
Florida Everblades (21-14-1-2) Deron Cousens D (Rookie) 29GP 2-5-7 +2 12PIM
Wheeling Nailers (20-13-2-1) Denver Manderson F (Rookie) 30GP 8-10-18 27PIM
WCHA
Denver University Pioneers (13-8-3) *Beau Bennett F (Sophomore) 10GP 4-9-13 25PIM
*Injured (wrist) Out Indefinitely
Denver University Pioneers (13-8-3) Joey Laleggia D (Freshman) 24GP 9-14-25 10PIM
Michigan Tech Huskies (11-11-1) Alex MacLeod F (Senior) 22GP 3-8-11 15 PIM
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (12-9-2) Mark MacMillan F (Freshman) 23GP 4-5-9 16PIM
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (12-9-2) Brendon O’Donnell F (Freshman) 17GP 5-1-6
HOCKEY EAST
Boston College Eagles (14-8-1) Isaac MacLeod D (sophomore) 23GP 0-1-1 8PIM
U-Mass Minutemen (8-8-5) Eric Filiou F (Sophomore) 15GP 1-2-3 27PIM
CCHA
Alaska Nanooks (7-11-4) Kaare Odegard D (Junior) 17GP 0-2-2 8PIM
Bowling Green Falcons (6-13-5) Ryan Viselli F (Sophomore) 17GP 3-1-4 10PIM
Ferris State Bulldogs (14-8-2) Travis Ouellette F (Junior) 24GP 8-9-17 37PIM
Miami RedHawks (12-10-2) Curtis McKenzie F (Junior) 23GP 4-7-11 50PIM
Michigan State Spartans (12-9-3) Trevor Nill F (Senior) 24GP 2-1-3 2PIM
Northern Michigan Wildcats (10-8-5) Jake Johnson F (Sophomore) 14GP 0-1-1 0PIM
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6-3) Devon Krogh D (Junior) 23GP 2-9-11 24PIM
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6-3) Cory Schneider F (Senior) 23GP 3-1-4 4PIM
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6-3) Alex Szczechura F (Sophomore) 19GP 4-4-8 6PIM
ECAC
Brown Bears (7-7-3) Anthony Borelli G (Junior) No Games Played
Clarkson Golden Knights (10-10-5) Ben Sexton F (sophomore) 13GP 7-7-14 20PIM
Colgate Raiders (12-8-2) Alex Evin G (Senior) 6GP (4-1-1) 1.48 GAA .958%
Colgate Raiders (12-8-2) Austin Smith F (Senior) 22GP 22-13-35 24PIM
Harvard Crimson (4-6-6) Eric Kroshus F (Senior) 14GP 5-4-9 8PIM
Princeton Tigers (6-10-5) Sean Bonar G (Sophomore) 13GP (4-6-3) 2.94 GAA .899%
Rensselaer Engineers (4-17-1) Bo Dolan D (Sophomore) GP 18 1-3-4 10PIM
Rensselaer Engineers (4-17-1) Luke Curadi D (Freshman) GP 9 0-0-0 23PIM
DIV-lll SUNYAC
Oswego State (12-2-2) Zach Josepher (Junior) 15GP 2-11-13 10PIM
Austin Smith named ECAC Player of the Month for November
BCHL Website:
Penticton Vees grad and Colgate University forward Austin Smith had an incredible month for the Raiders with eight goals and two assists.
His goals also meant something as three were game-winners and three came shorthanded. He had more shorthanded goals in the month, than Colgate had all of last season and more than any other team in the
league this year. He recorded his second career hat trick against Quinnipiac on Nov. 18 and then followed that will two more scores against Princeton the next night.
He had three multi-point games in the month and had points in six of seven games and has scored at least one point in five games. He is tied for the nation’s lead in goals with 15 and is sixth in points with 21. He has been named player of the week twice this year.
Alumni Update: Nov 17th
Alumni Update: Nov 7th- Joey Laleggia
Alumni Round Up: October 27th:
Wisconsin’s Joel Rumpel was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week recently after he backstopped the Badgers to a win over North Dakota last Saturday night.
The former Penticton Vees netminder has a 2-1 record to start his freshman season in Madison,Wisconsin.
The Swift Current, Saskatchewan native recently spoke with a local Wisconsin radio station; that audio can be found here.
Mark (left) MacMillan will play his older brother Mitch this weekend for the first time ever as the North Dakota Fighting Sioux host St. Cloud State Huskies in WCHA action.
The brothers have played with each other, that in the 2009-2010 BCHL season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Last season,Mark suited up for his hometown Vees in his final season of junior hockey.
Both North Dakota, and St. Cloud State sit at the bottom of the WCHA standings, the Fighting Sioux 11th, the Huskies 12th.
A local Fargo news outlet has a good story on the two playing each other; you can find that piece here.
Also Beau Bennett had a big weekend for the Denver Pioneers; how good?
Denver Post:
“Bennett, the Penguins’ first-round draft pick in 2010, had five assists combined in the Pioneers’ 4-2 and 10-2 victories over Minnesota State. He helped set up the game-winning and game-clinching goals in the series opener and had a hand in three of DU’s first five goals in the blowout series finale”
The entire article (a good read) on Bennett can be found here
Also Joey Laleggia scored his first two NCAA goal’s in Saturday’s 10-2 thumping of Minnesota-Mankato.
Alumni Round Up: October 17th
Catching up with: Carolina Hurricanes Zac Dalpe
-I spoke with the Former Penticton Vees forward, before the Hurricanes NHL season opener.
—
-Ryan Johansen has played in one of the three Blue Jackets games to start the NHL season. Johansen is pointless with an even +/- rating.
AHL:
-Brodie Reid (above) registered an assist in the Worchester’s Sharks 4-1 win over the weekend against the Providence Bruins in AHL action.
-Tanner House was held pointless in the Oklahoma City Barons 7-0 loss to the Texas Stars on Sunday.
NCAA Roundup #1:
- Joel Rumpel (left) made 31 saves in Wisconsin’s 3-2 win on October 8th vs. Northern Michigan to open up his NCAA career.
- Staying with goaltenders, Alex Evin also had a solid weekend, helping Colgate University win the Stampede Title. On Oct 7th, Evin made 16 saves in 3-1 win and his team defeated UNO 4-3 on Oct 8th in the tournament final.
-Travis Ouellette spearheaded the Ferris State Bulldogs offense to a weekend sweep over St. Lawrence. Ouellette had two goals in a 4-2 win on October 7th and a goal in a 5-1 win on October 8th.
- Two former Vees found chemistry in Denver’s 3-0 shutout of the U.S. Under-18 squad in exhibition action on October 7th. Beau Bennett scored twice, with Joey LaLeggia assisting on both goals.
- Mark MacMillan (above) had an impressive opening weekend with North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux beat Air Force 4-3 on Oct 7th, before losing to Boston College on Oct 8th 6-2. MacMillan had an assist in the IceBreaker Final against BC. Brendan O’Donnell was held pointless in both games; so too BC’s Isaac MacLeod.
- Former Vees captain, Derik Johnson did not play in Minnesota -Duluth’s opening game against Notre Dame. The Bulldogs were downed by the Fighting Irish 5-3.
