Lebel began his career as a hockey administrator when he founded the Interprovincial Senior Hockey League in 1944, and he served as its president until 1947. The league included many players stationed at RCAF Station Lachine during World War II. He also served as president of the Quebec Amateur Hockey Association (QAHA) from 1945 to 1946, and again from 1951 to 1955. He relocated to Chambly, Quebec, in 1951 and became vice president of Bennett Limited. In June 1955, his term as QAHA president ended, and he was replaced by Lionel Fleury. Lebel then became president of the Quebec Amateur Hockey League from 1955 to 1957. At the same time, Lebel entered municipal politics in 1955, and served as the mayor of Chambly until 1957. During his time as mayor, he initiated the construction of a water treatment facility for the greater Chambly area, completed in 1959.
