Leivermann leaving

Pat Christman/The Free Press

The first Mankato native to play for the Minnesota State men's hockey team will not finish his college career as a Maverick.

Corey Leivermann, the school announced on Friday, is leaving the program and will continue his playing career elsewhere. Leivermann confirmed via text message that he will transfer down the road to Division III Gustavus Adolphus where he will be able to play immediately (once enrolled) and play his final season and a half of college hockey.

Leivermann, the former Mankato West High School standout, played in 42 career games for the Mavericks but just two this year — MSU's first two of the year. As a freshman, he scored three goals and had four assists in 19 games. Last season, he scored one goal in 21 games.

The writing might have been on the wall as far as playing time was concerned when Leivermann was moved to defense for practice in recent weeks.

In MSU's press release, coach Mike Hasting said: "We appreciate and recognize Corey's contributions to Maverick Hockey during the past two and a half years. We wish him the best as he moves forward in his future endeavors."

Minnesota State is playing in the UConn Hockey Classic in Storrs, Conn., this weekend. Gustavus' next game is Friday at St. Scholastica, but Leivermann said he won't be able to play until after Jan. 7. Gustavus will play Jan. 11 at St. John's.