“Louis’s a good teammate,” said junior forward Conor Morrison, who was a freshman with Leblanc two years ago. “You always knew what you were going get from him. He was always going to work super hard [and] give 100 percent every shift.”
Leblanc still keeps in touch with many of his former Crimson teammates, and even texted Harvard coach Ted Donato to wish him well before the opening game of the season this year.
“During his time here, he had his mind set on competing for Harvard and going to school here,” said junior forward Alex Fallstrom, who also played as a freshman alongside Leblanc. “He did everything in his power to contribute to the team and wasn’t thinking too much of the future.”
He surprised many of his teammates and coaches when he decided to leave the Crimson during the summer after his freshman year, including Donato.
“I don’t think it was a rushed decision ... even though looking at it now, I would say I strongly disagree with it,” Donato said. “There’s always a number of factors, but ultimately [I believe] his agent had the largest say in it.”
Hockey-wise, Donato believed that playing major juniors back in Canada against younger players was a step down from the Ivy League, ECAC, and the NCAA. But Donato’s main concerns were Leblanc’s development off the ice and the increased risk of injury.
“The NHL team he’s drafted by [is] less interested in his developments as a person fully than they are as a hockey player,” he said. “I think that coming back would have been a great thing for him.”
Leblanc said that Donato, who had a lengthy NHL career himself, advised him on the nature of pro hockey and its tough atmosphere.
“He taught me to stay composed,” Leblanc said. “There’s a lot of ups and downs [in professional hockey]. It’s a rough business, [so he told me] to be ready and look out for yourself because everyone wants a piece of you.”
Since the QMJHL and professionals play many more games than the Crimson does, Donato believed this would hinder Leblanc’s physical development as well. With a higher risk of injury, the Harvard coach was worried that Leblanc would have to focus more energy on recovery and less on maturing, putting on weight, and growing stronger.
And sure enough, Leblanc has been banged up after Harvard, as he underwent shoulder surgery last summer.
But this hasn’t hindered his success. In 14 games with Hamilton, he already has four goals and six assists, and the parent club noticed. After only a month of professional experience, the Habs called him up to the NHL.
Though Donato disagrees with Leblanc’s decision to leave the Crimson, he added that Leblanc remains a part of the Harvard hockey family. Still, with the skills that Leblanc brings, the Crimson may have had more success on the ice.
“I think there’s always a part of me that goes to bed and says what if, what if Louis were here tonight?” Donato said. “But at the end of the day, we really wish him well and will always be supportive of him.”
Leblanc will suit up with the Canadiens for the first time and looks to make his final hockey debut in Anaheim against the Ducks on Wednesday.
“I’m enjoying what I do,” Leblanc said. “I love hockey, and I want to play hockey for the next 20 years.”