LEBLANC JUMPS SHIP

Editors Note - Montreal plays in Saint John on Sunday, October 10 at 4:00 pm.

PRESS RELEASE

The Montreal Juniors Hockey Club is proud to announce Louis Leblanc’s arrival to the line up for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.

As the 18th overall selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Louis Leblanc is also the first Quebec-born player chosen by the Habs in the first round since Eric Chouinard of the Quebec Remparts in 1998.

The team has been in negotiations with Leblanc’s agent, Pat Brisson, since this past spring, in the goal of coming to an agreement before training camp.

The Pointe-Claire native is part of the group of players invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Development Camp. A world-class player, he will make sure to put forward his exemplary work ethic and talent in order to earn himself a spot on the roster for the IIIHF World Junior Championships of 2011.

"The QMJHL, in particular the Montreal Juniors, have demonstrated the growth opportunities available to Leblanc, where he can pursue his hockey development in order to achieve great honour and join the ranks of the National Hockey League as soon as possible," said Martin Routhier, President of the Montreal Juniors. "Moreover, we understand that the balance of sports and education is an important one for Louis, and our organization wishes to support his academic ambitions, within a flexible environment that will offer him all the tools necessary for him to succeed".

Leblanc, who played center with the Harvard Crimson, accumulated 23 points in only 31 games last season, including 11 goals, finishing as the leading scorer on his team.

"For this upcoming 2010-2011 season, our team presents a solid roster, one that is very capable of competing for the MasterCard Memorial Cup," explains Pascal Vincent, head coach and general manager of the Montreal Juniors. "We have six NHL affiliated players in our ranks, including Leblanc, who belong to a National Hockey League team and who bring depth on many levels: Louis-Marc Aubry and Trevor Parkes of the Detroit Red Wings, Jean-François Bérubé of the Los Angeles Kings, Philippe Lefebvre of the Montreal Canadiens as well as Charles-Olivier Roussel of the Nashville Predators, who will accompany Leblanc at Team Canada Development Camp."