Merritt adds Ass't Coach in former BCHL All-Star Chad DeLeeuw

Press Release

The British Columbia Hockey League's Merritt Centennials are pleased to announce the hiring of Chad DeLeeuw as an Assistant Coach for the 2010/11 season.

“We’re very happy Chad has agreed to join us here in Merritt,” said Head Coach/GM Luke Pierce. “I am confident that his knowledge and experience as a dominant defenceman in this league will transfer into his coaching ability. Chad brings added enthusiasm to the staff and he relates very well to players. His tremendous leadership abilities are sure to be an asset to our entire organization.”

DeLeeuw played five seasons in the BCHL from 1995 to 2000. Following the 1995/96 season he was named Nanaimo Clippers' Most Improved Player and he was later the runner-up for the Interior Conference Defenceman of the Year award in the 1999/2000 season with Penticton.

He has coaching experience at the minor hockey league level in addition to serving as an assistant with Summerland of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

“I'm extremely excited about joining the Centennials organization,” said DeLeeuw. “I'm looking forward to working with Luke, the Board of Directors and all the volunteers that put countless hours into the team. I want to help these young hockey players become strong, confident men who succeed on and off the ice.”

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)