Behind the ECHL Benches - David Leger, Elmira Jackals

David Leger was enters his first season as the Jackals’ head coach after being named to the position on July 25, 2016. Leger, 48, comes to Elmira after he spent last season as an assistant coach with the Evansville IceMen.

The Orleans, Ontario native began his coaching career with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CJHL in 1998-99 as an Assistant Coach, before earning a promotion to head coach during the 1999-00 season. Leger went on to coach 11 seasons at the University of Ottawa.

He served as an assistant coach from 2000-03 before elevating to head coach of the Gee-Gees for eight seasons until 2011. In his first season as head coach, Leger led the Gee-Gees to a 17-3-3 record and a first place finish in the OUA Far East. Leger compiled a record of 97-88-10 during his tenure at the University of Ottawa. In 2011-12, Leger moved into the professional ranks and coached in Japan for the Tohoku Free Blades. Following a year back in Canada, he returned to Japan in 2013-14 and coached the Nippon Paper Cranes to the Asia League championship. Leger started the 2014-15 season as an assistant coach of Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák in Hungary, and finished the year with a return to Canada to coach the Cumberland Grads of the CCHL.