The former Ice Black and Thunder player is determined his team will do more than just make up the numbers in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League this season.
The Thunder has won just two matches in its first two seasons in the league but van Leeuwen believes there are good reasons to expect better results this year.
The team has more depth, talent and experience for a start.
"Put it this way, our starting line last year is our fourth line this season," the 35-year-old enthused.
"We're not here just to participate. We're here to win the competition."
There are half a-dozen or so exciting additions to the Thunder squad but perhaps the biggest coup is the inclusion of French imports Martin Millerioux and Quentin Pepy.
"I'm expecting a lot from them, to be honest. Quentin, who arrives [today], his team won the national league in France in front of 60,000 people two months ago.
"Martin is a defenceman. He arrives on the 8th this month so he'll miss the first game this weekend. He also has a lot of ability and skills, and a lot to offer the team.
"The idea with the imports is for them to help our players learn."
The Thunder has also signed two Canadians - forwards Brett Lenstra and Kevin Davies - and an Englishman - forward Mat Enright - to complete its quota of five overseas players.
The Thunder has also recruited some quality New Zealand-based players.
Former Canterbury Red Devils forward Paris Heyd has transferred south and will also assist van Leeuwen with the coaching.
Heyd is the fourth-leading points scorer in the history of the league (in ice hockey points are awarded to players for both goals and assists) and his 38 career assists has been topped by just one player.
Defenceman Regan Baker-Connell has also transferred south from the Red Devils and fellow defender Cameron Frear has moved from the Stampede to the Thunder.
Former Ice Black forward Damien Watson returns to the ice after a break and New Zealand juniors Regan Wilson and Tom Wilson round out a very useful squad.
"Our expectations are to make the finals," van Leeuwen said.
"We had a good showing against the Stampede in Gore a few weeks ago. We drew 4-4 and they were beaten finalists last year. So they are quite a good gauge. I'm not sure how strong they are this year but they've got a lot of Ice Blacks in their team so we definitely did pretty well."
The Thunder opens its campaign against the Southern Stampede at the Dunedin Ice Stadium on Saturday night.
The teams play again on Sunday afternoon.
