The Boston Bruins selected Normand Léveillé 19th overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft after a dominant junior career with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. In his final season of junior hockey, Léveillé scored an impressive 55 goals, raising expectations that he could bring similar offensive production to the NHL.
His professional start, however, was quiet. Through his first three NHL games of the 1981-82 season, the rookie winger was held off the scoresheet. That changed dramatically in his fourth game when the Bruins traveled to Chicago Stadium on October 14, 1981 to face the Chicago Blackhawks.
Léveillé wasted no time making an impact. Just 36 seconds into the game, he scored his first NHL goal by beating Blackhawks goaltender Murray Bannerman. The historic tally was assisted by Bruins captain Terry O'Reilly and forward Tom Fergus.
The rookie struck again late in the second period. At 18:45, Léveillé scored his second goal of the night, this time assisted by veteran defenseman Brad Park. The goal gave Boston a 6-5 lead and ultimately stood as the game-winner in an entertaining 8-5 Bruins victory. Léveillé finished the game with five shots on Bannerman.
Léveillé completed his rookie season with 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 66 games. He appeared poised for an even bigger role the following year, starting the 1982-83 season at nearly a point-per-game pace. Tragically, his promising career was cut short when he suffered a career-ending brain aneurysm during a game at Pacific Coliseum against the Vancouver Canucks in just the ninth game of the season.
Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players
A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.
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