Pioneer senior and hockey star Joey LaLeggia has had an incredibly successful career at DU and his final season might be his most victorious year yet.
Recently, LaLeggia was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week after his performance in North Dakota on Feb. 13 and 14. LaLeggia earned two assists against the University of North Dakota and he helped freshman goaltender Tanner Jaillet achieve his first college shutout.
Yet, winning an award like this hasn’t affected his mindset.
“We were happy that we won. Team success is what we worry about around here,” said LaLeggia.
Defenseman of the Week is not the only honor LaLeggia has been awarded this season. In his final year with the Pioneers, has also set many records, having 11 goals and 12 assists so far this season. LaLeggia also scored his 100th career point against in-state rival, Colorado College, and is now the third-highest scoring defenseman in DU history. Additionally, he leads the NCHC defensemen in goals scored, shots on goal and game winning goals.
The numbers speak volumes of his talent, but LaLeggia remains humble.
“Team success is most important, but if my individual stats are good, that means I’m helping us be successful. I need to do my part offensively and defensively,” he said.
LaLeggia’s largest honor might be his recent nomination for the Hobey Baker Award. The award was established in 1981 and is given to the top NCHC men’s ice hockey player. Only one other Pioneer has received this award, Matt Carle, in 2006. LaLeggia is listed on the fan ballot with 61 other athletes.
“It’s the most prestigious award in college hockey. It’s an honor to be on the fan ballot. I don’t know how much that really means, but it’s an honor nonetheless,” he said. “It would be a huge honor to win. It would put me in a class with special hockey players. It would be special, but we are worried about team success, and an added award is just a bonus.”
As a senior, this is LaLeggia’s last season with the Pioneers, but that does not mean that his hockey career is over, as he was drafted 123rd overall in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
After finishing his time at DU, it is likely that LaLeggia will be heading home to Canada.
“My ultimate goal is to win a National Championship and then to play in the NHL. I have been working on that my whole life,” he said.
