Chris Hill: Derrell Levy is a Warrior

It seems unless you put up the big numbers in sports your accomplishments go unnoticed. Players like Jeff Beukeboom, Matt Barnaby and yes, even Sean Avery become cult heros but after the skates are hung up are quickly forgotten about. SUNY Oswego has been fortunate to watch their version of a cult hero.

I've covered Laker hockey for four years and I haven't been so intrigued by a player like Derrell in that time. Immediately after he started playing for the Lakers, you could tell he had a run through a wall kind of mentality. I can say after watching him for three years that he is indeed that kind of player. I have touted him and Matt Whitehead to be the best penalty-killing duo on this team and, in my opinion, one of the top tandems in the SUNYAC because of the kind of work Derrell does. The moment his skates touch the ice he's off to the races, ready to hit anything that moves.

Certainly he is showed that kind of heart this weekend in Plattsburgh. On the penalty kill, where Levy makes his money, he took a puck to the leg while blocking a shot. Unfortunately, the Lakers were unable to keep the Plattsburgh power play from scoring, but Levy was under much duress. It took him several moments to get to the bench. From the amount of pressure he was putting on the leg, it was assumed by myself and Ryan Maloney that he may not be able to return to the game. But sure enough, within a couple of shifts Derrell was back out on to the ice giving it everything he had.

The thought hadn't occurred to me until tonight of what it really took for Derrell to shrug off the pain and play. However, what else can you expect from Levy? Certainly he is one of the less heralded players on the team, but certainly much beloved. And in this broadcaster's point of view one of the most important to Oswego's success. In interviews, Tony Dinunzio praised Derrell for his work after being put on a line together with fellow forward Matt Whitehead.

"He opens things up for us" said Dinunzio. Derrell Levy by no means contians the kind of scoring touch of a Ryan Ellis or a Brendan McLaughlin, however his heart and determination make him a formidable foe.

Just ask the rest of the SUNYAC.

Go LAKERS

Chris Hill