March 5, 2001
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman defenseman Brett Lebda (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) has been selected to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s All-Rookie Team for the 2000-01 season.
Two teammates, center Aaron Gill (Fr., Rochester, Minn.) and Rob Globke (Fr., West Bloomfield, Mich.) were chosen honorable mention.
The Irish rookie defenseman finished the season as the CCHA’s highest scoring rookie defenseman with seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points. Those numbers also rank Lebda second among all CCHA defensemen in the scoring column trailing only Michigan’s Jeff Jillson (10-18-28).
Among Lebda’s seven goals were two power play goals, two shorthanded goals and a game-winning goal. The offensive-minded defenseman finished third on the team with 112 shots on goal.
In December, the 5-10, 195-pound blueliner became the first Notre Dame player to score five points in a game since 1994 when he had a goal and four assists in a 7-3 Irish win at Nebraska-Omaha.
A product of the U.S. Under-18 Developmental Team, Lebda is the fifth Notre Dame player to be named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. He joins current teammate, David Inman (1998-99) along with Mark Eaton (1997-98), Joe Dusbabek (1996-97) and Jamie Ling (1992-93) to receive the honor. He is the second Notre Dame defenseman named to the team, joining Eaton who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League.
Lebda was selected as a CCHA Rookie of the Week on February 25 for his play in Notre Dame’s games at Alaska-Fairbanks when he had a goal and three assists and was +4 in helping the Irish to a tie and a victory.
Gill scored 11 goals with 15 assists for 26 points while Globke scored 17 goals and added nine assists for 26 points. His 17 goals were second among CCHA rookies behind Jeff Campbell’s 23.
All three Notre Dame freshmen finished the year with 26 points to tie for third in team scoring. This marks the first time since the 1978-79 season that three freshmen finished the year with 25 or more points in one season.
The CCHA Rookie-of-the-Year Award will be announced on Thursday, March 15 at the CCHA Awards Banquet in Detroit, Mich.
The 2000-01 CCHA All-Rookie Team:
Forward – Jeff Campbell (Western Michigan) Forward – Dave Steckel (Ohio State) Forward – R.J. Umberger (Ohio State) Defense – Mike Komisarek (Michigan) Defense – Brett Lebda (Notre Dame) Goaltender – Dan Ellis (Nebraska-Omaha)
HONORABLE MENTION:
Forwards – Derek Edwardson (Miami), Aaron Gill (Notre Dame), Rob Globke (Notre Dame). Defense – Doug Andress (Ohio State), Andy Burnes (Michigan), Mike Gabinet (Nebraska-Omaha), Mike Jarmuth (Western Michigan), Felipe Larranaga (Alaska-Fairbanks). Goaltender – Craig Kowalski (Northern Michigan), Preston McKay (Alaska-Fairbanks)