NWHL All-Time Wins Leader Amanda Leveille Returns to Whitecaps for 2020-21 Season
June 18, 2020 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Minnesota Whitecaps News Release
SAINT PAUL -ÃÂ NWHL all-time victories leader Amanda Leveille is set to return to the Minnesota Whitecaps after signing a contract this morning for the upcoming season. In 2019-20, Leveille had a .935 save percentage and 2.08 GAA in the regular season, and was perfect in Minnesota's 1-0 overtime victory over the Riveters in the Isobel Cup Semifinal.
One of the great stars and most popular players in the early history of the NWHL, Leveille has won two Isobel Cups and in 2018 was named Goaltender of the Year. Asked to comment on her two seasons in Minnesota and four years in the NWHL, Leveille sent the following note:
"My NWHL experience can be summed up in the crease at TRIA Rink," said Leveille, a native of Kingston, Ontario. "I hear the PA announcer say, 'Welcome, your Minnesota Whitecaps!' and our fans get loud. To my side is a young goaltender that I coach, because we include the players of the future in our game. ÃÂ I cannot thank the NWHL enough for those heartfelt moments. The NWHL extended my playing days and paid me to continue to be in the game that I love. I have so much love for the fans. I appreciate the hard work of Dani Rylan and her team, and the sacrifices that all the league's players, coaches, staff and the media that cover us have made so that young players can look forward to a professional league that continues to grow and will be even bigger and better."
Leveille began her NWHL career with two seasons in Buffalo, winning the Isobel Cup with the Beauts in 2017 and garnering the league's top goaltender honors the following season. A former goaltender at the University of Minnesota, Leveille returned to the State of Hockey when the NWHL expanded there in 2018.
In Minnesota's inaugural season, she backstopped the Whitecaps to the regular season title and Isobel Cup championship. Leveille had a 13-4 record, 1.96 GAA and .929 save percentage. Leveille has been an NWHL All-Star the last three seasons, and captained one of the teams at the event in Saint Paul in 2017.
In college, she helped lead the University of Minnesota to three NCAA National Championships. A three-time All-USCHO selection, Leveille finished her collegiate career with a 98-9-5 record, a .947 save percentage and 32 shutouts, while her 1.18 goals-against average set a school record.
"Lev is a competitive athlete and her teammates know she will come to each game ready to give her best," said Whitecaps co-head coach Ronda Engelhardt. "She always challenges herself to grow as a player. And as you see from her social media posts, she has a fun, creative side, too. She is passionate about teaching and impacting other goalies and many Minnesota goalies are better because of Lev's commitment to giving back to the game."
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from June 18, 2020
- NWHL All-Time Wins Leader Amanda Leveille Returns to Whitecaps for 2020-21 Season - Minnesota Whitecaps
- Mary Parker Re-Signs with the Boston Pride - Boston Pride
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