Louis Leblanc has forgone Harvard for home, and will play for the QMJHL's Montreal Juniors in 2010-11.
(Photo: © Heather Engel)
He was born and raised in Montreal. His draft selection came at the Bell Centre – by the Canadiens. And now Louis Leblanc will continue his hockey career in his hometown, with the Montreal Juniors.
Leblanc highlighted the team’s five prime offseason acquisitions, including fellow Habs prospect Philippe Lefebvre, all of whom were presented at a Tuesday afternoon press conference in downtown Montreal.
It was Leblanc’s first meeting with the Montreal media after signing his first pro deal at the end of July. The Kirkland native spent last year at Harvard and appeared set to return for his sophomore season. In the end, though, his hockey path took him back home.
“Being here in Montreal, being able to play in front of my family, having the Canadiens right here with me – I think it’s a step forward in my hockey progress. I’m going to be able to play more games,” he explained of his decision. “I was ready to make the switch and play more games and get closer to the NHL.”
It was a tough decision to make. In the U.S. collegiate ranks, the light game schedule allowed more time for off-ice training as well as his studies. Leblanc suited up for 31 of the Crimson’s 33 games as a freshman. He should match those totals by December alone playing in the QMJHL.
And after impressing at the recently-concluded Team Canada Under-20 development camp, a few more games are to be expected on the centre’s schedule this season. Certainly, that’s what he’s aiming for.
“I went there with a bad taste in my mouth. I was kind of angry and [peeved] from getting cut and not making the team (last year) so I wanted to show them that I belonged there,” said Leblanc.
The camp was just one part of what’s been a hectic summer. He took a few weeks off after his Harvard hockey and school season came to an end before he got back into training for the upcoming campaign. Then came the Canadiens’ development camp in early June, a switch of advisers (now officially an agent), his contract and a trip to Newfoundland with Team Canada.
Next week, the Juniors open training camp and a few weeks after that, Leblanc will swap his maroon and white duds for the bleu-blanc-rouge at Habs rookie camp and main training camp. He may even get to pull the sweater over his head for a preseason tilt at the Bell Centre.
“I think it’s going to be a great experience if I do get to play a game,” said the 19-year-old. “Hopefully I can stick around.
“Obviously my goal is to play with the Montreal Canadiens and I’m just going to go to camp having in mind hoping to make the team.”
Leblanc, who wants to get bigger and stronger, and improve his shot, noted he’d have no problem returning to the Juniors following his first taste of an NHL camp. And depending on his schedule, he plans to take 1-3 courses towards his Economics degree, either via distance learning through Harvard or at McGill.
As a highly-hyped prospect, drafted at home in the first round by his hometown team and now playing for the city’s junior club, on the outside it would seem the pressure has grown even more. The grounded teen, however, is taking it all in stride.
“I’m still a hockey player and I’m still a student. I’m going to out there next week and play and just have fun, do what I do best and whatever happens, happens,” offered Leblanc. “My goal is to ... make the World Juniors (this winter) and have a great year with the Juniors and go as far as we can in the playoffs.
“Obviously there’s going to be pressure everywhere I play and I’m just going to have fun with it.”
The other guy: Philippe Lefebvre
While much of the attention was focused on Louis Leblanc, another Canadiens prospect was also on hand to meet the media covering his new junior team. Philippe Lefebvre, signed by the Habs last September, was acquired from the Drummondville Voltigueurs back in June.
On being closer to Canadiens brass: “I think they’ll see more than they did in Drummondville, so they’ll get to see my progression. My goal is to perform well this year, so they’re going to see that.”
On Louis Leblanc: “He’s a very good player, very talented; he’s a gritty player so it’s a good addition to our team and he’s going to help us win games.”
Read also: Hard work paying off for Leblanc | Gorges excited for Heritage Classic
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Comments
Should have stayed at Harvard. Reason he looked so good at camp is that he played against 18-24 year olds in college. Now he goes back to playing against 16 year olds. Harvard education....priceless.
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