Levi Freeman Is ‘Smooth, Puck-Moving Defenseman’ For Team Illinois 14U

By Ross Forman
Levi Freeman is a left-handed shooting offensive-minded defenseman playing for the Team Illinois 14U, driven by two goals for the season: win state and nationals.

“My job for the team is to lead by example and we will never be outworked,” said Freeman, 14, a freshman at Highland Park High School.

Some of his AAA foes this season also are Giants … fellow HPHS students, that is.

Evan Monahan and Caleb Wertheimer are goalies for the Chicago Mission 14U team. They too are HPHS student-athletes.

“It is very cool,” that three players from the same high school are AAA players, Freeman said. Wertheimer also has played for the Falcons, Reapers and TI. Monahan has played for the Storm and TI.

“We talk (hockey) during lunch at school.”

Freeman scored two goals against Monahan during a game last season.

“When I play against the Mission, I’m the main target and they chirp at me,” because Freeman played one season for the Mission. “But I like it.”

Freeman sports uniform No. 29 a la his dad, Sean, who played locally and is the hockey director for Team Illinois. Plus, his older brother, Ronan, and sister, Bayla, were both born on the 29th and also wore No. 29.

Freeman has won three state championships, and his team the past three years has been ranked top five in the nation.

Freeman has improved his “offensive ability to make my team stronger by joining the rush, creating offense by moving the puck, scoring goals and my defensive ability to block shots,” he said. “I also became better at the blue line by making fakes to scare off defenders or make a quick move and then shooting the puck right away for a tip or shot on net. I also got better at scoring goals and moving players out from in front of my net so my goalie isn’t screened.”

Team Illinois 14U head coach Sam Povorozniouk said Freeman is a “smooth, puck-moving defenseman (who) has poise with the puck, vision and an ability to activate offensively.”

Povorozniouk added, “Levi elevates the people around him. His confidence, consistency and work ethic set the standard.”

Slapshots With … Team Illinois Defenseman Levi Freeman

Favorite NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens
Favorite NHL Players: Lane and Cole Hutson
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Field of Dreams
Favorite TV Show: The Mentalist
Motivational Song: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins 
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pasta with grilled chicken
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Conor McGregor