OXFORD, Ohio (April 14, 2001) - Miami University's Ice Hockey team officially brought its memorable 2000-01 season to a close Saturday night, honoring the team, along with a number of individual standouts, at its 2001 night of celebration and awards banquet.

Leading the list of honorees for Miami was sophomore goaltender David Burleigh (North Vancouver, B.C), who swept the team's Gary DeLonge Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Playing more minutes than any netminder in Miami history, Burleigh led the Red and White to 18 of its 20 wins during the 2000-01 campaign, posting a 2.76 goals against average and an .896 save percentage. Burleigh's 18 single-season wins rank second all-time at Miami, while his totals for goals against average, saves, save percentage and shutouts all rank among the program's top five. The sophomore has already tied Miami's career record with five shutouts and ranks among the program's career top five for wins and goals against average.

Junior captain Jason Deskins (Warren, Mich.), who tied for the CCHA lead with 18 league goals while also earning second-team all-CCHA plaudits, earned Miami's Outstanding Offensive Player Award after totaling team bests with 39 points, 19 goals and 20 assists. Deskins, who missed all but one period of the 1999-2000 season with a knee injury, is on pace to finish among Miami's all-time top 10 in both goals and points.

Earning the Berry Family Outstanding Senior Award, was forward Pat Leahy (Duxbury, Mass.), who tied for second on the team in scoring with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. Leahy, who became the 31st player in Miami history to clear 100 points in his career, tallied a team-best seven power-play goals on the season.

Miami's Blue Line Club Award, which is presented annually to the RedHawk hockey player that demonstrates strong character and leadership on and off the ice, was presented to senior forward Ernie Hartlieb (Sterling Heights, Mich.). Hartlieb, who enjoyed his best season as a RedHawk, tallied 10 goals and 12 assists to rank fifth on the team in scoring. The senior, who survived a near-fatal head injury prior to his freshman season, also contributed to the community by serving as a volunteer coach with Oxford youth hockey and by speaking about safety at numerous camps.

Bart Stevens (East Amherst, N.Y.) earned Most Improved Player Honors after being one of just two RedHawk defensemen to play in all 38 games. Stevens, who had tallied just four assists in his first two seasons, finished the 2000-01 season with 10 assists while bolstering a Miami defense that gave up fewer goals than any other team in program history.

Rookie of the Year honors were bestowed on Derek Edwardson (Morton Grove, Ill.), an honorable mention CCHA all-rookie selection. Edwardson ranked fourth on the team in scoring, tallying six goals and 20 assists for 26 points. During the month of February, Edwardson tallied three goals and nine assists, leading the CCHA in scoring for the month.

Miami finished the 2000-01 season with a 20-16-2 record, finishing in a second-place regular-season tie with the University of Michigan in the CCHA. Other team highlights included the programs fifth Ohio Cup title, for top Ohio-based CCHA team, in the past 10 years and fourth 20-win season since joining the CCHA. Head Coach Enrico Blasi was further honored as the CCHA Coach of the Year.

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