University of Denver defenceman Joey LaLeggia was recently named the sixth annual national Division I rookie of the year by the Hockey Commissioners' Association.

The 5-10, 180-pound defenceman skated in all but one of the team's 43 games this season, while leading the country's rookie defensemen with 38 points, including 11 goals.

LaLeggia was an AllWestern Collegiate allrookie team selection, an all-conference first team honoree and the 2011-12 WCHA rookie of the year, finishing the season with a plus-13 plus/minus rating.

LaLeggia also recorded 15 points, including four goals during a season-high eight-game point streak from Dec. 30 to Jan. 28. His overall point total ranked tied for fourth among all NCAA Div. I rookies and was third among WCHA blueliners.

LaLeggia notched at least one point in 23 games this season and tied for a team-best 13 multi-point efforts for Denver in his rookie campaign.

The former Northwest Giants star and Burnaby Winter Club product, who was a member of Denver's 10-player freshman class this season, finishing first in WCHA rookie scoring and tying for first in WCHA defenseman scoring with 28 points on eight goals and 20 assists in 28 league games.

LaLeggia was named the hockey commissioners national rookie of the month for January and the conference defensive player of the week on Jan. 17th.