ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY – Experience, skill level and work ethic. All three are fundamental parts of success in every part of life, especially professional athletics.
When Thousand Islands Privateers owner Nicole Kirnan found herself looking for a new head coach after Mike Elberty stepped down, she wanted the candidate to compliment her day-to-day, hands-on style of management. She also wanted someone who would be able to fit in with the organization’s other personnel who put forth their heart, soul and dedication every day. And, oh, by the way, he has to be able to work in those fundamentals on the ice.
Kirnan found her man in first time pro head coach Marc LeFebvre and is confident 
that he is the one who can take the Privateers to a championship.
“We had a lot of interest and a lot of very qualified applicants,” Kirnan said. “Marc stood out to me because I felt he was the right fit for our organization.”
Kirnan had no qualms about hiring a coach without pro experience, provided they had the qualities she sought. Over the course of his playing career, LeFebvre adapted well to a variety of different settings, showed focus and leadership skills and exemplified the hard-working mentality Kirnan was looking to further instill in the organization. Kirnan is completely convinced that the combination of LeFebvre’s character and playing experience will translate well to a behind-the-bench mentor position.
“He’s young and this is his first coaching job but he’s always been a leader for every team he’s played on,” Kirnan said. “He’s well respected by his peers and that can be demonstrated by the type of players that he has brought in.”
LeFebvre, who spent six of his last eight pro seasons across the pond in England, France and Holland, used the summer to transition from player to coach. It involved intensive recruiting as he searched for the best mix of minor pro players he could assemble for what he promotes as a “championship or bust” team.
Privateers fans can expect to see the fruits of LeFebvre’s labor in a roster peppered with numerous experienced veterans. The decision to construct a more veteran lineup can be traced directly to two fundamental thoughts – envisioning a winning team and the lessons learned from watching the Akwesasne Warriors win last year’s title with a lineup that included high profile players Pierre Dagenais and Carter Trevisani.
“Akwesasne did a great job last year, partially due to geography. They were able to attract a phenomenal roster and a very seasoned roster – a lot of veterans who had incredible playing experience,” Kirnan said. “I think you always have to look at what your opponents are doing and what works and what didn’t.”
The experience factor is the first thing that LeFebvre looked for as he sifted through player resumes. If a player hasn’t had the chance to play for or win a title, LeFebvre doesn’t see him as having the “liquid gold” that can inject life into a post-season lineup and make the difference between winning and losing.
“I think we need those older veterans to take us to the top level. I think they know what it takes to win. They’ve been through the battle before so if we get in to a situation where in the semi-finals or a championship, they know already what the feeling is like and how they got there,” LeFebvre said. “We’re here to win a championship. We’re not here to do anything else. Everyone has to be on board. If they’re not on board, they’re not going to be here.”
The first player signing that LeFebvre made was Jeff Winchester, a former teammate from the Zoetermeer Panthers in Holland. His resume has NCAA Div. 1, ECHL and CHL credits on it. During the last three seasons, he has split time between the lower European league in Holland and the SPHL where he was part of back-to-back championships on two different teams (Huntsville and Mississippi Surge). The coach immediately made Winchester his player/assistant.
LeFebvre expects Winchester’s on-ice talent to bring some offensive punch to the back end while anchoring it with solid defensive leadership from behind the bench. LeFebvre even went so far as to predict that Winchester will become a top three defenseman in the league – not maybe but definitely.
“On and off the ice, he just brings so much. He’s so invaluable. I like to have experience that I can bounce ideas off of so I’m not talking to myself in the mirror to try to think of things,” LeFebvre said about Winchester. “He’s a good guy to have around to sort of bounce off ideas. He knows the game so well as well so that’s going to help us out. Overall he just brings so many things to the table (that) you can’t name them all. There are so many good things about him as a person and as a player.”
The early signing of Winchester provided an added bonus as one of his teammates from Mississippi followed him to the Privateers. Forward Michael Richard brings a sniper’s mentality and a championship ring with him. After playing four years of Div. 3 college hockey, Richard entered the SPHL and made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year honors. He brings a sniper’s mentality and a championship ring with him.
Privateers fans will not be disappointed in seeing a fistful of their first season favorites returning to Alexandria Bay. Many of last year’s rookie forwards are expected to don the Privateers uniform for their sophomore professional seasons. Justin Levac, Adam McAllister and Ryan Pearson have all returned. Pearson stepped up in last season’s playoffs, leading his team in points and tying for the goal lead during the first round against the Warriors.
Privateer and single-A veterans Chase Tippin and Clay McFadden are also back for another run at a title. McFadden missed part of last season due to injury but when he was on the ice, he averaged over a point per game while posting a plus-11 rating. Additionally, second year blue liners James Kirkwood, Michael Byrd and Brian Marks return on the back end. Byrd finished his time with the Privateers two games into the playoffs with a plus-31 rating before heading south to end his year in the SPHL playoffs with Huntsville.
The biggest change for fans will likely be the fact that team captain and high-scoring veteran forward Alex Goupil will not be in the lineup. Goupil retired after the end of last season where he led the Privateers to a third place finish and a 26-13-5 regular season mark. He led the league in regular season points (77), goals (42), power play goals (12) and game-winning goals (9).
To fill the gap left by Goupil, LeFebvre has beefed up the Privateers offensive game by signing some highly experienced forwards. Center Paul Kelly and winger Steve McJannett have spent the bulk of their pro careers at the AA level as well, bringing a decade’s worth of experience between them. McJannett, who has three ECHL playoff seasons under his belt, is expected to add needed offensive punch and grit to the Privateers’ ranks. Kelly amassed over 100 goals during his tenure in both the ECHL and CHL.
LeFebvre also used his overseas connections to bring in more players. Winger Brad Smulders was a teammate in the Netherlands where he has played the past seven seasons after his junior career in the OHL. Goaltender Matt Anthony also went from the OHL to Holland where he has been for three years. Anthony was expected to be the Privateers starter.
“I played against him last year in Holland so I know what he’s about,” LeFebvre said about Anthony. “I feel very comfortable about bringing him in as our starter.”
Kirnan said that she believes that all of the veteran signings is a testament to both LeFebvre’s effort and commitment as well as the stability of the league.
“I would say the largest factor in the type of roster that we have attracted not only for our team but as a league is having one year under our belt and the fact that it’s a more established team, a more established league,” she said. “I don’t think that some players want to leave a situation that is secure and come to a league until they feel reasonably comfortable that the league is in place and heading in the right direction. Across the board, all the teams are able to attract a higher caliber player.”
Both LeFebvre and Kirnan expect an across the board increase in the talent level in the FHL that will please the hockey savvy fans of the North Country. With the rise in talent, fans should expect the already fast-paced play to be even faster. Kirnan added that Privateers fans can also expect to see their team play a much more physical game as well.
“We’re definitely going to be a tougher team. Last year we were a skilled team but we didn’t really have the depth that you need to really go through the long haul in the league and deep into the playoffs,” she said. “You’re going to see a far more seasoned, veteran team, a much tougher team (that will be) much more entertaining to watch.”
LeFebvre is clear that it is his pledge to deliver a championship to his fans this season. Though some may argue that all FHL teams have upped their game by injecting more experienced talent leaving them all at a level playing field, LeFebvre thinks they will have a subtle edge.
“I think it’s just (the) little things about our club that’s going to take us to the top,” he said.
If the coach can get his players to adhere to those little things, he may just deliver on his promise.
(Editor’s note: Thousand Islands started the season with a pair of victories over the Danville Dashers in Illinois. Justin Levac posted five goals and five assists for ten points in the 13-5 and 9-1 wins. Teammate Brad Smulders added three goals and five assists while Paul Kelly and Michael Richard each tallied seven points. Goalie Matt Anthony made a combined 55 saves in the two games to start his season off at 2-0.)
Contact the author at wendy.hull@prohockeynews.com
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