Pittsburgh, Pa. - The breakout season continues for Robert Morris University sophomore forward Daniel Leavens, who on Wednesday was named Atlantic Hockey Conference Player of the Month for December.

Leavens, a native of Thornhill, Ontario, tied for the NCAA Division I lead with nine points (3g, 6a) in December. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder started the month with three consecutive multi-point games, including a career-high three points (all assists) in RMU's 8-4 home win over Sacred Heart on Dec. 6.

Leavens capped his prodigious month with a goal and an assist in a Three Rivers Classic victory over No. 20 Penn State on Dec. 29 at Pittsburgh's CONSOL Energy Center. After recording an assist Saturday against Bowling Green, the right-handed winger is tied with Brady Ferguson for the second-most points on the Colonials. Leavens has five goals and 13 assists in 17 games.

Since missing a pair of games due to injury in early November, Leavens has recorded at least a point in eight of 12 contests. An alumnus of the Newmarket (Ont.) Hurricanes junior program, Leavens has far surpassed his offensive output of last season, when he accumulated three points in 26 games.

Leavens was one of four D-I players to get nine points in the final month of 2014, a list that includes junior teammate Brandon Denham, who Leavens edged for the award. Leavens led the nation in power-play assists during December, with four. Also, he was named Atlantic Hockey co-Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 31.

This marks the third AHC monthly award won by a Colonial this season. Senior forward Cody Wydo and sophomore goalie Dalton Izyk were both honored for their performances in October.

Following four games against ranked opponents in the span of seven days, 20th-ranked Robert Morris (12-4-4, 9-2-3 AHC) holds a two-point lead over Holy Cross (7-1-5 AHC) for the top spot in the Atlantic Hockey standings. Third-place Bentley (7-4-2 AHC) pays a visit to the Island Sports Center for an important two-game series this weekend.

The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 84 Lumber Arena. For more information, including ticket availability and pricing, visit RMUColonials.com or call 412-397-4949.

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