Ex Pro, Derek Leblanc, set to join Oil Capitals for the upcoming 2019/20 season.
Derek Leblanc, formerly of Brandon Manitoba, will join Head Coach and GM, Tyson Ramsey’s coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2019/2020 season. This solidifies a coaching staff that also includes full time assistant coach Reid Gow. Leblanc, spent four years in the WHL (3 with the Brandon Wheat Kings, and 1 with the Calgary Hitmen) from 2003-2007. Leblanc would go on to play one season with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns before having a stellar five year pro career in the ECHL, CHL, and a stint with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Leblanc would win a championship with the Rapid City Rush of the CHL in 2010.
Leblanc will assist Head Coach, Tyson Ramsey, in whatever roles he sees fit for the team. Leblanc will take part in practices and ice times where his schedule permits and will be a part of the coaching staff on game days when called upon. Ramsey added, “Derek is a really fun, outgoing, and positive guy. I’ve known Derek for some time, and once I got this position, I thought of Derek as a guy I would like to see with our team in some capacity. He will assist Reid and myself in many different areas. Work with the guys on skills, specialty teams and be a guy that we can lean on to help run practices. I’m excited to add a guy with Derek’s experience at so many levels of the game and he will be a big part of our staff moving forward.”
Leblanc had this to say: “I am excited to be involved with the Oil Capitals for this upcoming season. In our family’s short time in Virden, we can see and feel how much the team means to the community. And now to be part of it is pretty special. I know Tyson and Jamie well from our past and look forward to working with Reid Gow, Marc Berry, Ryan Potter, and the rest of the staff as well moving forward. I just want to be able to help where I can, and what is asked of me and I can’t wait for the season to be started.”
Leblanc and his family, wife Kara and kids Brax and Braya, reside in Virden where he is General Manager of Mainline Motors. Leblanc has also been part of the local hockey scene in Virden for the last year. Since moving to Westman, Leblanc donned the Virden Oil Kings jersey this past season, while also coaching Brax, at the “Squirt” hockey level with Virden Minor Hockey.
Ryan Potter set to continue on as Goaltending Coach for the upcoming 2019/20 season.
Ryan Potter is set to return as the Oil Capitals goaltending coach for the upcoming season. Potter has done a great job with the hockey club over the past number of seasons in a variety of different roles.
Ramsey added, “Since my time being involved, I have really appreciated how Ryan works and communicates with the goalies. We are going to be a little more goalie specific this year, in which we will ear mark specific goalie sessions. I think that will go a long way in helping our guys continue to evolve and be top goalies in this league. He worked really well with Dalton and Riley this past season and with Brock in the playoffs as well, and he was well respected by those guys. As a group we look forward to Ryan’s continued work with the goaltenders.”
Potter had this to say: “I am excited for the opportunity to continue working with quality young men like Dalton and Riley. I am also looking forward to watching our younger guys we have in the system grow and push the older guys. With all the returning players and the experience gained in last year’s playoffs, I feel like the team has a great opportunity to be very successful this year. I’m excited to get going.”
Potter and his family reside in Virden. He is part of the management team with Tundra Oil & Gas, and him and his wife Kelli also billet second year forward Brett Paddock.
Snag your 2019-20 Oil Capitals Season Tickets today!
Adult – $225
Senior – $185
Youth – $110
Family (2 Adults & 2 Youth) – $590