Checking In with Brian Lebler
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
A hulking left winger at 6-2, 210 pounds, freshman Brian Lebler enjoys, of course, the physical aspects of hockey the most. He is at home in front of the opponent's net where he can wreak as much havoc as possible.
Lebler
Though he has spent the majority of his life in Penticton, B.C., Lebler was born in Austria where his dad was playing professional hockey. Although Brian's father, Ed, won an NCAA championship with the Wisconsin Badgers in 1981, the younger Lebler felt the most comfortable in Ann Arbor when it came to picking a college of his own.
Lebler played the last two seasons with the Pentiction Vees of the BCHL. In 2005-06 he scored 26 goals, 12 on the power play, and 17 assists in 69 total games.
Lebler reports how he's adjusting to living in the U.S., how he decided to play college hockey instead of major junior and what role he will fill for U-M on the ice.
On his roommate ...
"I am living with Chris Summers. It's going well. He likes to keep the room clean, which is a benefit to me. He doesn't get on me, but I know that when the room has been dirty for a few days I have to clean it. It's also good because his parents live close by. I've actually already met them - they're great. They said they'll take me out to dinner, or barbeque which would be good. A home cooked meal at college - it's pretty unreal."
On the difference between B.C. and Ann Arbor ...
"The main difference I have noticed is the people. There are subtle changes in the people's attitudes here. It's a little weird, but I am getting use to it. Even though I am from Canada, most people really haven't picked up on that. I don't have a strong accent, although some people have noticed."
On his start in hockey ...
"I started skating as soon as I could walk. I use to live in Europe and my dad played professionally over there. Also, there was a big lake behind my house that used to freeze over in the winter. I would just skate out there for hours, just me and my brothers. I had the skates that had the two blades on each one, so I was basically walking on the ice. But, I've been skating since before I can even remember, and I've been playing hockey ever since there were leagues that I was eligible to join. My dad also set me up with that."
On his brothers ...
"I was born in Austria, and I actually lived there for four years. I have three brothers. One is 12 years old and he was born in Canada. My other brothers are 19 and 21 years old, so they were in Europe with me too. All my brothers have played hockey. Mike, who is 19, is in the Nelson Junior B league which is about 5 minutes from my house in B.C. My other brother, the one who is 21, just got released from the army, and now he wants to go back to school. He also played hockey in high school before he joined the army."
On when he realized he wanted to play competitively ...
"I've always been a competitive player, even when I was little. I was the kid who would skate around, hit players, and then take their pucks. I've always wanted to take hockey to the next level. A few of the other guys on my team and I tried out for juniors, and when I made it, that's when I realized that maybe I can take this somewhere. You just want to take it as far as you can, for as long you can."
On playing in Penticton ...
"I loved playing there, I loved playing at home. I woke up in the morning, my mom made me bacon and eggs - she babied me a lot. It's also fun because you have your buddies on your team with you, although it can also be a distraction at times. I would have the guys on the team over for dinner, and I am sure they liked that. But yes, I liked playing at home."
On playing in the BCHL ...
"I didn't feel out of place at all. I've always been big, so I wasn't intimidated at all. I knew there was fighting in the league, but that didn't bother me. It really wasn't a huge change at all - maybe the speed a little, but you catch up to it quickly."
On being approached to play in college ...
"When I was 16, I was 50/50 on playing major junior or playing college. I decided on playing Junior A for one year. And then after that, I decided to go play in college. My dad played at Wisconsin, so he had a big influence also in my decision. It benefited him because he got to play and also got his degree. It's good to play in college because if hockey doesn't pull through, you always have your education to fall back on. Right now, I don't know specifically what I want to study, but I am in Sports Management."
On the process for selecting Michigan ...
"I talked to a lot of schools, but I eventually narrowed it down to the three colleges that I wanted to play at. I chose Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan. I knew they were all good organizations with great facilities, so I had to rely on my gut feeling. That's how I decided to come play at Michigan. I felt really comfortable here, and I liked the coaching staff and how everyone has been here together for so long. I thought, 'They've got something going here that is really good, and I want to be a part of it."
On his dad's influence ...
"My dad didn't pressure me to go to Wisconsin, or anywhere for that matter. He let me make my own decision. He said it would be nice if I went to Wisconsin since he went there, but he didn't pressure me at all. He actually helped me decide on Michigan though, since he saw how many guys they send to the next level, and how they prepare you. We talked about it a lot, and that helped."
On if he's ever been to a game at Yost ...
"I've never been to a game. I came down during the week because my coach didn't want me to miss any games. I came on a Tuesday or Wednesday and went home Thursday. I only saw practice."
On what he's heard about Yost ...
"I've heard it's a great atmosphere and that it's a thrill. I can't wait."
On what his first game will be like ...
"I think I will just be focused on the game. I'll be playing hockey. I won't be focused on first time kind of stuff."
On his favorite player growing up ...
"With the Vancouver Canucks being so close and watching them all the time they were my favorite team. I watched Todd Bertuzzi. I kind of liked him. He's a big guy. He walks out of the corners and he has good hands for a big guy. He's tough. I like the way he plays."
On his strenghts on the ice ...
"Being a big guy, I feel like I take after Bertuzzi maybe. I like walking out of the corner. I like getting down in the trenches, getting whacked in front of the net. I just like the dirty work and that's why I like him so much. I score most of my goals in front of the net, or driving to the net or walking out of the corners."
On what he would like to improve on ...
"I would really like to improve on my skating - get quicker, faster. I'd like to work on my shot always. Your shot is a huge thing in this league because you only have a certain amount of opportunities and you have to capitalize on them."
On wearing number 14 ...
"I've never worn it before. I wore seven in juniors and all through minor hockey. T.J. (Hensick) has that. I liked 14 out of the numbers that were available so I went with it."
On if he has any superstitions ...
"No. I really just like to go play hockey."
Checking In with ... Schedule
Sept. 25 -- forward Anthony Ciraulo
Sept. 26 -- goalie Steve Jakiel
Sept. 27 -- defenseman Steve Kampfer
Sept. 28 -- forward Brian Lebler
Sept. 29 -- defenseman Chris Summers
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
