Crunch time for Ryan Leonard
The 2014-2015 season ended for the Cochrane Crunch a little over two weeks ago with a loss to the Soo Thunderbirds in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League championship series.
With a rather-successful first season in Cochrane just over, Crunch owner-general manager-coach Ryan Leonard is already on the road, recruiting players for the 2015-2016 campaign.
Known as a tireless and relentless recruiter, Leonard is all the way out west in British Columbia this week, looking to bring players to Cochrane for the 2015-2016 season.
To be sure, Leonard has a lot to build on in Cochrane.
Not only did the Crunch make it all the way to the NOJHL finals before losing to the Soo, it finished third in attendance among what was a nine-team league with a per-game average of 466.
A high-energy, high-strung individual with a pepper-pot personality that matches his motor mouth, Leonard has a coaching style that can confound and confuse those coaches who run more regimented and rigid systems.
As one impartial NOJHL observer recently said when we were talking about Leonard: “He’s effective, he’s unorthodox and he’s good at what he does. What you see is what you get with Lenny.”
Great analogy RR. Well done as usual.
You describe him to a “TEE” … … Well done my friend!
motleyrulez, KL Flash,
Thanks for the nice words.
Regards,
RR
Randy, Brad “Super Scout” Boyer is in Grand Rapids as well, the Crunch has there scouts all over the map. I will be going to a few camps in the next few months. Early scout gets the player.
Ryan has shown to run a class organization that develops the players and also provides them with numerous school options at the end of their careers with the Crunch. The rink & facilities in Cochrane are the best in the league. Good luck in the future Lenny.
Good Article Mr. Russon! I like your style.
Best beer set up in the league too!
If the Iroquois Eskies coach follows ryan leonard’s hard work we will have 2 good teams to CRUNCH the Timmins Rock lol.
HockEye: Whats this about the Beer Venue in Cochrane????!!!!
Please explane!!!!
So you walk in, grab a $7 tall boy or 2, head to your seat…..repeat…
Thanks HockEye I am gonna have ta get my old KL chum RR to meet me there Ha Ha he has been known to have a cold one Ha ha me to.
Thanx Charlie aka Old Goat