The Dunedin Thunder have a couple of preseason hit-outs against the Wellington Seals in Dunedin this weekend.
They have back-to-back non-competition games against the Mako next week before getting their New Zealand Ice Hockey League campaign under way with a tough away assignment against the Botany Swarm in Auckland.
Leclancher will coach the Thunder and is looking forward to seeing how much progress the team has made when it takes to the ice against the Seals, who do not compete in the league.
"We’ve done a lot of practice, so it is about time to see where we stand," he said.
"It’s going to be great for us to set the baseline."
The goal is to make the top-three playoffs in the five-team league.
The Queenstown-based Stampede have dominated, winning six of the past seven league titles.
The Thunder, who were founded in 2008, have never won the title, and they finished in last place in 2023.
But Leclancher believes his young side have the potential to make the playoffs.
They will lean on imports Ryan Wonfor, Cole Beckstead and Riley Smith to create play.
Smith will arrive in July, but Wonfor returns for another full season with the Thunder. He is a strong defender and he fits in nicely with the team.
Fellow Canadian Beckstead is a forward and will be charged with sticking the puck in the goal.
Forwards Billy Sheard and Carlin Baumgartner return after a stint out of the side, and will strengthen the roster. Sheard, in particular, battles hard for the puck and will add some steel.
"We have this core of really young players who are between 18 and 21 who are very exciting. They are only going to keep growing."
Ian Audas and Jackson Flight have both been involved with the Ice Blacks, Flight helping them claim silver at their world tournament in Bulgaria last month.
"The goal is pretty simple," Leclancher said.
"We want to play in September in the playoffs. The position where we finished last year is not necessarily a great reflection of the performance that we can deliver.
"The team has gained much more experience this season.
"We still remain the youngest team in the league. But I think we are capable of making the playoffs, it is just whether we have that fight in us and are able to sustain the pace. I think we’re going to be fast, and we have to use that tool."
