Montreal Canadiens Sign Louis Leblanc

Today the Montreal Canadiens signed their first round pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft Louis Leblanc. The Habs drafted Leblanc 18th overall in 2009. Leblanc played the 08-09 season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL where he amassed 28 goals and 59 points in 60 GP. Last season Leblanc played for the Harvard Crimson of the ECAC where the 6’1’’ 186 lbs centre racked up 11 goals and 23 points in 31 games. Those totals were good enough for Leblanc to win Ivy League rookie of the year.

Leblanc has decided to leave the Crimson this season to play with the QMJHL’s Montreal Junior Canadiens. Leblanc stated he made this decision in order to play near his home town of Kirkland, Quebec and be near his pro team the Habs. Another reason Leblanc said he made this decision was to play more games in an attempt to make Team Canada’s World Junior team roster. Leblanc was one of the final cuts along with Tyler Seguin of the 2009 silver medal winning team but he hopes to make it this year as it is his last year of eligibility. Leblanc has been invited to participate in the team evaluation camp.

With the Canadiens signing Leblanc to the 3 year entry level contract he is eligible to play in the NHL or AHL next season. However it is unlikely Leblanc makes the roster of either the Habs or Bulldogs as the Canadiens organization would rather he mature by playing another year of Junior Hockey.