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Michel Leveille has always been a scorer. His hot streak has the Charlotte Checkers on a roll heading into today's home opener.
Leveille, a 28-year-old center, has nine points in four games, helping Charlotte to a 3-1 record in a four-game stretch to begin the season. He's scored in all four games, twice scored two goals and had three points in a 6-5 shootout victory at Gwinnett on Friday.
"We had a great preseason camp," said Leveille, a native of Quebec City. "The coaches did a good job getting us moving around. All the practices were fast-paced. My linemates have been great as well, I can't take all the credit.
The Checkers will host Gwinnett at 2 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Leveille didn't take a traditional route to pro hockey. He played high school-level hockey in his late teens, passing up chances to play junior hockey, when many players leave home around age 14.
"My mom was always big on school," he said.
Leveille (pronounced Le'-vay-yay) played two years of junior hockey in British Columbia, then four for college power Maine. He graduated in 2007 and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He split the past two seasons between the ECHL and American Hockey League.
Last season, Leveille had 15 goals and 22 assists in 40 games with the Checkers, and a team-leading eight points in the playoffs.
"He's off to a good start and we know he's a special player," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "I don't think we saw all of that last year. He has great skills for this level, and it's important at the center ice position to have a guy that can do that."
"He can control a shift, and you don't find a lot of guys who do that. He has very good vision and a feel for what's going on. He's creative enough to take chances, but smart enough that if he makes a mistake, he's able to cover up for it."
Off the ice, Leveille's Renaissance-man qualities differ from many pro athletes. He loves to travel, enjoys music and dancing.
"A lot of hockey players, their activities are restrained and deal with sports," Leveille said. "I just love life. You've only got one, so you might as well make the most of it."
