Comments for Hockey Development Trumps Education at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Fri, 24 May 2013 06:28:05 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7470 I understand your frustration but come on, the situation with Louis Leblanc not going to Chicoutimi has nothing to do with the language or the town of Chicoutimi. This is not the Bissonnette situation at all. It is only a question of timing. After signing with the Habs, Leblanc admitted that he was planning to go back to Harvard. The Canadiens decided to give him an offer to see him at the training camp (and to force him also to quit Harvard). So Leblanc started his reflexion after being trade to the Junior... his decision has nothing to do with the Sags. Actually, I think that he would have been in a better environment at Chicoutimi... or Hamilton. By playing in Montreal, he will be an attraction all year long in the city. At least he will have the habit with all the circle of media. - All-in Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:40:17 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7457 Ok Ryan Ill bet you a big Quart of beer if he plays in the AHL ;D, because i dont see him playing against grown men with only a handful of games under his belt, like i said this was a done deal with the Jr de Mtl ,we will see this fall. - Rob Verhelle Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:14:29 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7436 Not pointing the blame at Martel, just asking if perhaps he might the reason and not the town of Chicoutimi. The Lac St-Jean region is well-known in Quebec for being a beautiful place and very hospitable to non-hockey visitors and players -- of the Sagueneens. The franchise had their struggles earlier this decade with low attendance, but Carbonneau has helped turned things around. Without having a chance to interview Leblanc and ask him questions about his decision to not play there, I'm not going to judge him. Furthermore, like Duchene's pre-draft gambit to help him land in Brampton, what Leblanc did doesn't have an impact on my assessment of him as an NHL prospect. At least in Leblanc's case, he made good on his promise and played USHL and at Harvard. Before buying into the theory that a fix was in, I want to see Leblanc play for the Montreal junior. I doubt that will happen and think he'll end up in the AHL. - Ryan Van Horne Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:53:55 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7430 Ok , now you seem to throw the blame at Martel, i dont know why, he turned that Baie Comeau team around you said you covered. I personnally played against him in Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget Hockey, he was a very good goalie and a fierce competitor, he is a top notch motivator and gets the best out of his players , maybe not the greatest technical teacher but his assistants take care of that very well, Marc Etienne Hubert (a future Head Coach) and goalie coach Marc Denis , did he do something special in Baie Comeau ??? When you have a season ticket like i do, i think i have the right to be a little pissed over the fact that this young dude just Shit on my town with out really checking it out , thats the way im taking it . These young players are treated like Royalty up here just ask Carbonneau, Desharnais and Denis and the others i mentionned..... and Im still having a hard time how this Kid took care of business I think Leblanc will regret his decision because like you said playing in the Q will be step back ..... but after seeing all those front page pictures of him and the Mtl Junior Brass...... this was a done deal before the Draft, they "the Junior" have been after him for almost a year . - Rob Verhelle Sun, 01 Aug 2010 11:56:34 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7428 What's funny is that you wish he falls flat on his face. That's pretty spiteful. Has Leblanc offended you in any way? The likelihood that he'll play junior is slim. I'm sure Montreal is more interested in putting him in the AHL. To go from the USHL, to the ECAC to the QMJHL is not a good development track. He needs to go to a tougher league -- not a weaker league. As for what reasons Leblanc might have had for not choosing to go to Chicoutimi, I can't say, but opting to play in the Quebec AAA midget league, the USHL and Harvard the last three seasons is not a bad choice for him. Playing in Chicoutimi would not have been a bad choice, but if I were giving him advice, I'd suggest he not play for any team coached by Richard Martel. I know Martel well from covering the Quebec league for four seasons -- including a couple of playoff series involving the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Players have options of where they play nowadays and junior teams need to a good job convincing them that playing for them is a good decision. I have no problem with players being honest and direct about where they would like to play, although I do have an issue with players such as Matt Duchene saying they want to play NCAA so that they'll fall in the draft. Duchene had no intention of playing for Michigan State and reported happily to Brampton. Duchene is a great player and fun to watch, and while I didn't like his dishonest ploy, I personally don't have a problem with him and don't harbor any ill will toward him. - Ryan Van Horne Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:53:10 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7425 Before the Q draft GM-Coach -Martel of Chicoutimi had a chat with Leblanc too see if he could convince him too play for the Sags but he said that it was important for him to finish his 2nd year in Harvard,so the Sags traded his rights too Mtl and we now know what was holding him back, imagine they are now choosing who they want to play for and they are still in Junior Hockey ,and now hes got to play the other guys in this League, I hope he falls flat on his face. This is not the 1st time for Chicoutimi, just have too look back at the Matthew Bissonette ordeal, another one who didnt even bother showing up but in his case it became public, do you remember that one ????? Even Carbonneau tried to persuade Leblanc, saying after they had no chance, he was going back too school......in Harvard . Its funny you did not mention all this in your article,I guess its not all that important news coming from a small city but who cares Eh ????? - Rob Verhelle Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:38:55 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7415 Funny that you say Leblanc didn't want to play in Chicoutimi because of the French. I thought he was bilingual. Is he on the record as saying that's the reason? - Ryan Van Horne Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:33:52 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/45-prospect-schopping/3012-hockey-development-trumps-education#comment-7411 cant wait for him too play 70 + games in a real league , and we are waiting for him in Chicoutimi, you could have included in your article he didnt want too play in Chicoutimi because of the french , funny I'm from the region, went to English school with Alan Haworth and Sam St-Laurent and had a blast ...... ..... and still making my living here in Blueberry country. Like Desharnais and Marc Denis stated here in a local newspaper and most players that played their junior hockey in Chicoutimi all come back too the region afterwards and just love it here, sorry Louis just another primadonna from the West Island that should listen too other players that have played here. - Rob Verhelle Sat, 31 Jul 2010 06:53:01 +0100