July 19, 2004
DAVID LEGER RETURNS TO COACH OTTAWA GEE-GEES MEN�S HOCKEY TEAM
The University of Ottawa's Sports Services announced today that David Leger will return to coach the Gee-Gees varsity hockey program he guided to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship tournament last season.
"David Leger's return means stability for men's hockey at the University of Ottawa," said Luc Gélineau, Director of Sports Services. "The players responded tremendously well to his leadership this past season, and we anticipate he will be very successful in his new role as the full-time coach and manager of the Gee-Gees program."
"The rich and storied tradition of the men's hockey program here at the University of Ottawa is one that I feel privileged to be able to be associated with at this stage of my career," proclaimed Leger, who led the Gee-Gees to their first University Cup appearance in 19 years as interim head coach in 2003-2004. "It is an exciting opportunity to remain involved with a program that is moving in such a positive direction."
Despite the team's success last season, Leger, Hockey Canada's Manager of Regulations and Membership Services, did not apply for the full-time Gee-Gees position when it was posted this spring. In May, the University of Ottawa hired former Hull Olympiques coach Guy Lalonde to assume the Gee-Gee head coaching duties, only to see Lalonde resign the post several weeks later when he received a job offer from his former employers with the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
"After I was hired by Ottawa, Cape Breton came back and offered to redefine my role in a way that was tough to pass up," said Lalonde, who is returning to the QMJHL team as an assistant coach with special responsibilities for player development. "I'm sure I would have enjoyed working at Sports Services, as their staff is very professional and treated me well in my brief time there."
When Lalonde resigned in June, Leger was still involved with the Gee-Gees transition process, and made the decision to pursue coaching as a full-time career option.
"The more I started to take the formal steps to end my affiliation with the University, the more I realized the opportunities and activities I was enjoying with the team were things I wished to continue," said Leger. "I am extremely grateful that my employers at Hockey Canada allowed me to act as interim coach this past year, and I am leaving a great deal of friends in the organization."
David Leger will remain in his current role with Hockey Canada through September 1, while simultaneously acting as the Gee-Gees program manager. Leger will join Sports Services on a full-time basis on September 1, becoming the 16th men's hockey coach in the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees' modern history.
"One of the many good things about last season's success was the presence of 13 first-year players in our lineup, so the necessity to find replacements through recruiting wasn't as high as in other years" said Leger, noting he has only been away from the Gee-Gees program for approximately two weeks. "My main function for the rest of the summer will be to confirm the return of the coaching and support staff that contributed greatly to last season's accomplishments."
The Gee-Gees posted a 17-4-3 regular season record to capture the Ontario University Athletics Far East division title in 2003-2004. Ottawa knocked off defending national champions UQTR in the OUA post-season en route the University Cup tournament.
Source: Jonathan Greenan, Ottawa Sports Information)
"David Leger's return means stability for men's hockey at the University of Ottawa," said Luc Gélineau, Director of Sports Services. "The players responded tremendously well to his leadership this past season, and we anticipate he will be very successful in his new role as the full-time coach and manager of the Gee-Gees program."
"The rich and storied tradition of the men's hockey program here at the University of Ottawa is one that I feel privileged to be able to be associated with at this stage of my career," proclaimed Leger, who led the Gee-Gees to their first University Cup appearance in 19 years as interim head coach in 2003-2004. "It is an exciting opportunity to remain involved with a program that is moving in such a positive direction."
Despite the team's success last season, Leger, Hockey Canada's Manager of Regulations and Membership Services, did not apply for the full-time Gee-Gees position when it was posted this spring. In May, the University of Ottawa hired former Hull Olympiques coach Guy Lalonde to assume the Gee-Gee head coaching duties, only to see Lalonde resign the post several weeks later when he received a job offer from his former employers with the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
"After I was hired by Ottawa, Cape Breton came back and offered to redefine my role in a way that was tough to pass up," said Lalonde, who is returning to the QMJHL team as an assistant coach with special responsibilities for player development. "I'm sure I would have enjoyed working at Sports Services, as their staff is very professional and treated me well in my brief time there."
When Lalonde resigned in June, Leger was still involved with the Gee-Gees transition process, and made the decision to pursue coaching as a full-time career option.
"The more I started to take the formal steps to end my affiliation with the University, the more I realized the opportunities and activities I was enjoying with the team were things I wished to continue," said Leger. "I am extremely grateful that my employers at Hockey Canada allowed me to act as interim coach this past year, and I am leaving a great deal of friends in the organization."
David Leger will remain in his current role with Hockey Canada through September 1, while simultaneously acting as the Gee-Gees program manager. Leger will join Sports Services on a full-time basis on September 1, becoming the 16th men's hockey coach in the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees' modern history.
"One of the many good things about last season's success was the presence of 13 first-year players in our lineup, so the necessity to find replacements through recruiting wasn't as high as in other years" said Leger, noting he has only been away from the Gee-Gees program for approximately two weeks. "My main function for the rest of the summer will be to confirm the return of the coaching and support staff that contributed greatly to last season's accomplishments."
The Gee-Gees posted a 17-4-3 regular season record to capture the Ontario University Athletics Far East division title in 2003-2004. Ottawa knocked off defending national champions UQTR in the OUA post-season en route the University Cup tournament.
Source: Jonathan Greenan, Ottawa Sports Information)
