Steel Spotlight: Brian LeBlanc

For the second installment of the Spotlight Series Brian LeBlanc takes center stage.  LeBlanc rejoins the Steel this season for his second tour of duty in Chicago. The defenseman from Hermantown, Minn. appeared in 22 games for the Steel in 2012-13, before being traded to the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League in early January. After being moved, LeBlanc appeared in 27 games for the Wildcats, recording two goals and four assists to go along with a plus four rating. Being traded came as a shock to LeBlanc but the experience definitely helped him to mature. He says the initial trade “woke him up” and he grew up both on and off the ice.

This past offseason, the Steel thought enough of LeBlanc after his performances last season in Chicago and Wichita Falls to use one of their picks on him during Phase II of the 2013 United States Hockey League draft. He made the team out of training camp and impressed enough throughout preseason to become an alternate captain in 2013-14. LeBlanc says that it was a good feeling getting named to a leadership role and the position is something that he takes a good deal of pride in.  He tries to lead by example and stay even keel no matter the game situation, and prefers to lead through action not by voice. Being a consistent presence and player is LeBlanc’s main priority.

It is easy to understand why LeBlanc became involved in hockey, seeing as he grew up and still calls northern Minnesota home. The story becomes even clearer when one discovers who LeBlanc’s father is. Guy LeBlanc, Brian’s father and the person who he credits with really turning him on to hockey, seems to be a typical hockey dad. Guy was a Division III All-American during his playing career at St. Scholastica and has spent many years in the Minnesota coaching ranks.

There is no doubt that Guy helped shape his son’s game, one that Brian describes as a two-way defenseman. He likes to make quick decisions with the puck and move it efficiently. He also tries to make himself an option when the team moves into the offensive zone. LeBlanc tries to emulate his game after the Minnesota Wild’s Ryan Suter.

Away from the rink, LeBlanc enjoys playing video games and reading. However, he is also a big outdoorsman having grown up in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” When hockey season is not going on chances are you will find him out fishing, hunting and camping.

Lastly, LeBlanc would like to give a shout-out to his two brothers, Drew and Jack.  Drew, a Steel alumnus and the 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner, is currently a forward in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, while his younger brother, Jack, is still in high school and just earned his driver’s license.