LeBlanc Didn't Make Team Canada

Olivier LeBlanc was not among the seven Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players to crack Team Canada’s roster for the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament.

The final roster for the tournament was named today following the completion of the squad’s summer selection camp held in Toronto.

LeBlanc, who was solid in his first QMJHL season with Saint John last year, can now look forward to Sea Dogs training camp which begins in just a couple weeks. He’ll be a big part of Saint John’s defense core this season.

Canada’s defense for the tournament is headlined by Barrie’s Aaron Ekblad. Sherbrooke’s Carl Neill and Gatineau’s Alexandre Carrier also made the team as defensemen.

Both of Canada's goaltenders are from the Q – Bathurst’s Mason McDonald and Chicoutimi’s Julio Billia. QMJHL forwards Clark Bishop of Cape Breton, Daniel Audette of Sherbrooke, and Alexis Pepin of Charlottetown also made the team.

The annual tournament begins on August 5th with Canada taking on the Czech Republic.