Para hockey star living a dream come true

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A dream event in his home province has Moncton’s Jacob LeBlanc more than a bit excited for the possibilities as a member of Team Canada’s para hockey squad.

The Canadian team, with LeBlanc manning a position on the blueline, will kick off play at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup Friday in Quispamsis with an exhibition game against the United States.

After that, the team will focus its attention on winning gold at the four-team event at the qplex, which runs from Dec. 3-9.

“I’ve been dreaming about making the national team since I was nine years old, so now, the chance to be able to represent my country in my own province is unreal,” said LeBlanc on the eve of the international event.

“To see the recognition for the sport, to be able to bring it to the East Coast and to New Brunswick, it’s huge.”

Canada, the United States, China and Czechia will play a round robin event in preliminary play before the medal round games of the 15th edition of the event, which place Dec. 8-9.

The Canadians and LeBlanc were in a tournament in Czechia in October, where they won a silver, falling to the U.S. in the final game in another chapter of that classic North American puck rivalry.

Now 21, LeBlanc is exclusively training and playing para hockey after also enjoying success in wheelchair racing earlier in his athletic career.

The ice, it seems, is home for his destiny.

“For people with disabilities, it’s hard to find your path in this world,” he said. “Once I found para hockey, it was clear to me, being Canadian and a hockey lover. Once I found the avenue for my passion, it was kind of a no brainer. I honestly can’t even imagine doing anything else.”

LeBlanc has represented Canada on a number of other occasions, including the World Championship in Moose Jaw this past spring but to have the Para Hockey Cup on display in N.B. qualifies as a huge thrill.

The coaching staff suggested a move to the defensive position this season and he was all for it.

“Everybody is gelling, and I think we can get a lot done,” he said of the number of shifts the Canadian team made from the past season. “The coach asked me if I wanted to go back on defence and they must have a plan for me, so I trust their wisdom.

“As long as I don’t end up in the net, I’m fine.”

Once I found this avenue for my passion, it was kind of a no brainer. I can't even imagine doing anything else.

Jacob LeBlanc

The ages of the Canadian team range from teenagers to players in their 30s, much like a pro team, and LeBlanc says his goal is to play for more than another decade.

“That is 100 per cent the goal for me,” he said. “This isn’t just something I am doing for a couple of years and then hanging it up. As long as my body permits me to do this, this is my pathway.”

Canada opens the event on Sunday against China at 4 pm., and then faces Czechia on Monday at 7 p.m. before a rematch with the U.S. on Wednesday, also at 7 p.m.

All teams will play semifinal games on Dec. 8 (3 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and then the medal games are slated for Dec. 9 (3 p.m., 7 p.m.) and LeBlanc hopes the red and white host country is able to produce a golden moment.

“That is definitely where we are going to be putting our efforts to,” he said. “That is definitely our goal. We are not going there just for ice time. We are going there to show off what Canada can be.”