About a month ago, Louis Leblanc finally made his professional hockey debut. And as far as debuts go, his could not have gone much better.

In his first career appearance, Leblanc had two assists and the overtime game-winning goal, propelling the Hamilton Bulldogs over the Rochester Americans, 3-2, in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Just two years earlier, Leblanc, then a Harvard freshman, made his first collegiate debut. In another memorable performance, the rookie scored one and picked up an assist in the Crimson’s opening 5-3 win over Dartmouth.

In the past four years, Leblanc has had to make four of these debuts in four different leagues—the United States Hockey League, the ECAC, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and the AHL—and has succeeded so far at every step.

“It’s been great to far,” Leblanc said. “It’s been an adjusting period ... I’m excited. This is another step in my hockey career, and the next step is the NHL. It’s a big learning process for me this year.”

And he is not far away from making one final debut. Late Monday night, Leblanc was called up by the Montreal Canadiens after forward Max Pacioretty was suspended for three games.

This NHL debut will be even more special for Leblanc, as it will be for his hometown team.

“[I’ve] always been watching them since ever I can remember watching hockey,” he said. “So it’s [been] an honor just looking forward to making the big team.”

His road to professional hockey was not always so clear.

Two summers ago, Leblanc had to make one of the most difficult decisions of his life. He could either remain at Harvard—he was the team’s top scorer and was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in the 2009-2010 season—or he could leave Cambridge and play for the Montreal Juniors.

Ultimately, Leblanc chose to leave Harvard for amateur play in the QMJHL, thinking it would give him the best shot at making the Canadian World Juniors team.

“It was a really tough decision leaving,” Leblanc said. “But I don’t regret my choices, and I just look forward from here.

“I loved my first year at Harvard,” Leblanc added. “Everything about it was great, schooling-wise and hockey-wise.”

He was a huge asset for Harvard’s offense, leading the team with 11 goals and 23 points. The former member of the class of 2013 was also second on the team with 12 assists and named a finalist for the ECAC Rookie of the Year.

He made an impression in only a year at the school, and his teammates and coaches commented that his importance to the team extended beyond his contributions on the ice.