AMHERST, N.S. – Most people won’t think about the 2019-2020 hockey season until September, but for Jeff LeBlanc the next season has already begun.
“I just got off the phone from a Quebec kid who heard about our program through one of our former players and wants to play junior hockey here,” said LeBlanc, Ramblers coach and general manager. “We’re getting attention from kids right across the country, and that’s a good problem to have.”
The Ramblers wrapped up their season on May 4 at Amherst Stadium with a 4-3 semi-final loss to the Ottawa Jr. Senators at the Fred Page Cup.
After the Ramblers battled back in the third period to tie the game 3-3, the Senators scored with .2 seconds left on the game-clock.
“It still stings. That’s a loss that will be with me for the rest of my life,” said LeBlanc. “The way we lost was unfortunate, but you have to move on.”
Ottawa went on to beat Quebec 9-2 in the championship on May 5 at Amherst Stadium.
“I said to the boys before the semi-finals that whoever won the semi-final game was going to win the whole thing, and that’s what happened,” said LeBlanc.
The Ramblers have 11 players committed to coming back next season.
“They’re excited to come back and excited to get the season started.”
LeBlanc says they also have free agents and good draft picks from last year that they hope will play this coming season.
“And we have trades being looked at for a defenceman and a couple of forwards,” said LeBlanc. “It’s going to be a busy summer as we build towards winning a championship because that’s the goal.”
LeBlanc has one more year left on his contract with the Ramblers and says he’s happy in Amherst.
“I want to see this through and I want to win a championship,” said LeBlanc. “I think we have the right pieces in place, and with a few more additions we will ice another championship calibre team.”
