EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — LIU men's hockey forward Onni Leppänen has been named the NCAA Division I Independent Hockey Rookie of the Month after helping lead the Sharks to a 4-1-1 record in November.
 
Leppänen scored a goal and added two assists in his Sharks debut against Stonehill on Nov. 15, contributing to LIU's 5-1 win.
 
The Helsinki, Finland, native followed up his three-point performance with a pair of goals against the Skyhawks the following evening in the Sharks' 4-2 win.
 
The freshman has registered at least one point in each of his first five games for LIU.

"Onni stepped into our lineup and provided an instant boost to our power play and team success," said head coach Brett Riley. "Onni is a selfless player with a tremendous skillset and extremely bright future. We are proud to see all of his hard work and effort rewarded in his first five college hockey games."
 
Leppänen is third on the team with eight points (4g, 4a), trailing Carter Rapalje, who leads LIU with 10 points (5g, 5a).
 
LIU, one of five Division I independent programs in college hockey, next plays at Vermont (Hockey East) in a two-game series against the Catamounts starting on Friday.
 
The Sharks return home on Friday, Dec. 13, for their Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game against Stonehill at 7 p.m.

LIU hockey tickets can be purchased HERE