9th year right wing Chris Leveille(14) is a true story of persistence and perseverance, as at 29-years old he jumped up a big notch on the hockey ladder and was signed to a one-year minor league contract with Brampton Beast for 2016/2017.
He started his pro hockey career with four seasons for Fayetteville FireAntz of the SPHL, which included 2011/2012 as captain and the league’s leading scorer with 84 points in 2009/2010, his sophomore campaign.
In his fifth year, he decided to take a step down joining Williamsport Outlaws of the FHL before the team collapsed due to financial struggles and he moved on to Dayton Demonz for the remainder of the schedule.
For the next two seasons, he decided to take some time off to raise his newborn son and skated when he could with local Allan Cup squad Brantford Blast.
He was wooed by an old friend to join nearby Port Huron Prowlers blowing up the stat sheet scoring more than a goal and an assist in each outing, then helped them captured the 2016 Federal Hockey League Championship with 2 points per game.
As a challenge to himself he set his sites on climbing to the next level, accepting a summer invite to try out for Brampton.
It worked as he was on the opening night roster and now through 54 ECHL games he’s ascended to fifth on team scoring with 12 goals and 23 assists, plays like an elite skater out there and has helped the club position itself to be a Kelly Cup contender.
What’s hard to believe is he’ll turn 30 before the start of next season and looks to be just getting started.