University of Minnesota Athletics
NWHL Names Leveille Top Goaltender
3/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Golden Gopher alumna Amanda Leveille was named the NWHL Goaltender of the Year when the National Women's Hockey League recognized its top players with the league's third annual NWHL Awards on Tuesday.
In her second season playing in the NWHL, Leveille has led the Buffalo Beauts to the Isobel Cup final. She has posted a 12-4-0 overall record with a .918 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average after appearing in nine games and going 4-2-0 as a rookie while backing up Beauts' starter Brianne McLaughlin last season.
"What a tremendous honor! I'm a firm believer that a goaltender's success is a reflection of the team in front of them," Leveille said in a statement the NWHL released on Twitter. "I can't thank my coaches and my teammates enough for helping me to achieve this prestigious award."
"Lev is a special individual from our inaugural draft," Beauts head coach Ric Seiling said of Leveille's success. "She knew we had Bri and only asked for a chance to compete. She was not going to be satisfied being a backup. That competitive spirit drives her to be the best and puts the Beauts in contention."
The NWHL announced its annual award recipients via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram ahead of this Sunday's Isobel Cup final between Leveille's Buffalo Beauts and the Metropolitan Riveters.
Leveille was one of four finalists for the 2017-18 Goaltender of the Year award, joining Katie Fitzgerald (Metropolitan Riveters), Brittany Ott (Boston Pride), and Sydney Rossman (Connecticut Whale) in contention for this year's honor.
In four years with the Gophers, Leveille posted an overall record of 98-9-5 with 32 shutouts. Her career goals against average of 1.18 is the best in Minnesota history and ranks second in WCHA and NCAA history. The Kingston, Ontario native also ranks second in Minnesota history in both career shutouts and career wins, trailing only Noora Raty (114-17-8 with 43 shutouts).
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