June 29, 2009
The selection of Louis Leblanc in the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens was the biggest news in the city that hosted the event. (Robert J. Meyer/USHL Images)
For Louis Leblanc, the script couldn't have been written any better. One that even he admitted was the best scenario. The USHL Rookie of the Year was chosen in the first round of the 2009 NHL Draft by his hometown club, the Montreal Canadiens.
While the main headline in the weeks leading up to the draft centered on who between John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and Matt Duchene would be chosen first overall, it was Leblanc who stole the show during the first round. The 18th selection on Friday resulted in the biggest cheer from the capacity Bell Centre crowd as Montreal Canadiens fans were thrilled to see one of their own pull on the Habs sweater.
The choice was one that Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey knew would have a positive reaction from the loyal fans. "We knew they would be excited," said Gainey. "They know all the players, but a local guy like Louis is definitely on our fans' radar screens."
After a 2008-09 regular season that began with lofty expectations but ended in disappointment, fans were looking for something on the first day of the NHL Draft to give them hope for the future. That hope came in the form of Leblanc who led the Omaha Lancers in scoring this season with 59 points (28g, 31a) in 60 regular season games.
His name was being chanted throughout the Bell Centre crowd before the Canadiens had even made the announcement and while walking down the streets of Montreal the following day, USHL.com reporters who didn't speak any of the French language could clearly understand the name "Louis Leblanc" that was being mentioned in conversations by the locals.
It was the first time the Canadiens had selected a Quebec native since 1998, something the fans had longed for in recent drafts. The pressure seems to be high in a city that is passionate about its hockey club, but Leblanc was cool and confident amidst the throng of media who surrounded him just moments after his named was called on Friday evening. He displayed an impressive amount of maturity when faced with countless questions that would be a daunting task for any individual, let alone an 18-year-old, but he answered each question with grace and intelligence that will serve him well when he attends Harvard University in the fall.
The opportunity to attend Harvard was realized after Leblanc chose to develop in the USHL giving him the best option to pursue both hockey and a college education, something his new general manager applauds.
"Last year he played and went to school in the U.S.," said Bob Gainey. "He's decided he's going to follow the U.S. college route for developing and has the desire to have an education at Harvard. He's making strong choices for himself and he's not making the easy choices. That's a sign of character we need to have in all our players."
Leblanc is living out his dream and Friday night moved him one step closer to the NHL when the Canadiens made they pick that he had hoped they would.
"It is a special moment," said Leblanc. "I have been waiting for this my whole life. I'm a Montreal guy and I'm just enjoying it."
It was a moment that the whole city enjoyed and Leblanc is determined to have many more special moments in a Canadiens uniform.
The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With nearly 180 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 17 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.
