For Immediate Release
April 3rd, 2013, Powell River BC – The Powell River Kings are proud to announce the commitment of 95-born defenceman Jeremy LeClerc to the team for the 2013/2014 season.
LeClerc is currently in his second season with the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. The 6’1, 190lb defenceman from Saskatoon is the captain of the Contacts this year and lead his team among defenceman scoring with 3 goals and 21 assists in 42 games played. LeClerc says he is a defense-first player. “I really focus on the defensive end of things, hitting and making a good first pass. Nothing too fancy, just playing some solid shutdown D.”
The decision to come to Powell River was apparently easy to make. “The reason I went to Powell River specifically is that I’ve only heard great things about the program” says LeClerc. “It sounds like an honest program, the coach is good and everyone I’ve talked to out there loves it.” Those people include current Kings Landon Robin, Stephen Hiff and JJ Coleshaw from playing against each other in Saskatchewan last season.
The Kings are very excited to add Leclerc, as he will be a great addition on the ice and in the community. ”We had a good tie in through our goalie coach, Jeff Battah, who knows the family really well. We know exactly what type of player and, more importantly, type of person we are adding to our program” says Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis.
Jeremy's ability as a leader was a key attribute in Lewis' decision. “We need to bring guys into the program who are known leaders. We need them to come in with that experience and just bring us that leadership, and attitude. Even in his first year, we need that.”
LeClerc and his Contacts teammates will be in Kenora, ON this weekend for the Western Regionals. Winning the Regional Tournament will send them to the Telus Cup, the national midget championships, which will be played in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Recent Kings commit Jarid Lukosevicius and his Vancouver Northwest Giants are playing in the Pacific Regional this weekend versus Red Deer.
The Kings would like to wish both players the best of luck and hopefully will get to see a showdown of the future teammates at the Telus Cup in a couple of weeks.
LeClerc is expected to arrive in Powell River a week before main camp at the end of August. The season begins with the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, September 6th-8th.
