
Riverview — A 10-year-old boy from Riverview has become the youngest player to sign a contract with the National Hockey League, thanks to the relentless onslaught of shouting that he received from his parents.
Fifth-grader Austin LeBlanc, a student at Riverview East School, has been toiling away in the Novice and Atom leagues for more than 4 years. Now, as the result of a rare set of circumstances, he has been given a chance to skate in “The Show” and face-off with hockey legends more than twice his age.
“It was a lot of hard work on our part,” exclaimed hockey-dad George LeBlanc. “And, also my son too I guess. Me and his mother did the typical ‘hockey parent’ routine of going to the rink day and night several times per week. We came to every practice and game and analyzed every move he made on the ice. If anything was not perfect, we offered him helpful feedback from the stands as loudly as we could. We also practised at home for many, many hours, even when he mostly had no interest in doing it. Now, it’s all paid off!”
The dramatic draft all started last month at the Byron Dobson Memorial Arena on Biggs Drive. NHL scout David Betteridge was in town to spend time with his wife’s family, and decided to take a break from the visit by heading to the local rink. “There’s only so much of my mother-in-law that I can handle,” he confided. “I needed to get out of the house for a while, so I went to see some hockey. My wife called me and asked where I disappeared to, and I told her that there was a prospect that I was checking out. She didn’t believe me and told me to get back there pronto. So, I knew I had to come up with something.”
On that same September day, Austin LeBlanc was playing with his team and scored a series of goals, catching the scout’s attention. “I overheard the other team’s goalie say he had to pee really badly, and he wasn’t getting a chance to go until the period ended,” recalled the senior LeBlanc, “so, I yelled at Austin to go after him as hard as possible, and my son ended up getting a hat trick!” That’s when the visiting NHL scout sidled up to the LeBlancs and made them an offer that no hockey parent could refuse.
LeBlanc’s mother, Jocelyn, also ardently coaches her son from the stands at every single possible opportunity. “My coaching style involves standing on my seat and bellowing instructions to Austin as loudly as possible,” she beamed. “During every play, I give him helpful advice like, ‘GO GO GO! GET THAT GUY! HUSTLE! GET THE PUCK! GET IN THERE! STAY WITH IT! SCORE! DON’T GIVE IT BACK TO THEM! SKATE SKATE SKATE!!’ Now, it’s clear that all of that compulsive shrieking worked!”
The LeBlancs also help to coach others during the game. “If the teenage referees make a ‘bad call,’ we point it out to the officials immediately and very loudly — sometimes face-to-face — so they have an opportunity to improve,” they said. “We regularly inquire as to whether the referees have a visual disability, whether they are awake, if they are acquainted with the game of hockey and the rules of the game, as well as asking how they fit their entire head inside of their own ass. In the end, I truly believe that the refs enjoy our honest and frank feedback on their performance.”
When asked if they have dreams of a Stanley Cup in their future, the LeBlancs were less optimistic. “Well, let’s put it this way — our son was drafted to the Toronto Maple Leafs, so what do you think?” they laughed.
Utter brilliance!
It would be great if he turn out to be another Kadri or a Nylander.
Leaf fans are realistic and there are a lot of us. Why not use the fla panthers or Phx Coyotes for your example on your joke.
because the leafs are a joke
The entire thing was a joke. Just like the Leafs and their fans. How appropo.
Brilliant!! Insightful!!!
Is this a joke???As a hockey mom, I dread those yelling parents. Parents comment that “it’s all paid off”. I wonder for Whom? Would love to see how this kid turned out when he’s 20…
Of course, it’s definitely satire.
When we had parents like that yelling at their kids when they joined us for shiny, everytime they yelled an errant puck sailed over the glass in their direction with us players yelling “SHUT UP!”
They say he is the next Tod Sloan.
My ex son in law in England is like this with his boys. He hopes the 6 year old will play for England. If he doesn’t play well he’s ordered to toughen up!! They are being robbed of their childhood. I hope this article is posted in jest.
i hope this a joke because if this true this type of parents are a big reason for the problems in minor hockey
No, this is totally real. That 10 year old was signed and everything.
I already own one of his game worn jerseys and his rookie card.
I think the parents did the right thing, they got the kid drafted, maybe not top of the line wages yet but that will come if he turn out to be good. I know I will be yelling my head of at the next game. go Ron go.
These parents wouldn’t be in the rink for very long if they are yelling like that at me when I referee. I wouldn’t put up that kind of abuse and I don’t. You get abusive like these parents and they get tossed out.
Copied from below…
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“All content… is fictitious and satirical and should not be taken seriously.”
Does that include the disclaimer?
This is awesome I hope its with the Leafs, playing in the center of the hockey will be wonderful and it will do away standing for that stupid draft.. Does he play center.?
One parent yelled at me and called me an “arsehole” and that’s what I turned out to be; this type of encouragement really does work.
So why would they make him keep playing and practising if he had no interest. Sports for kids are meant to be fun.
[…] Ten-year-old signed to NHL due to parents’ coaching from stands […]
First off as being an ex score keeper/hockey mom the first time a parent approaches an official they get a warning second time they r out of there. Worst parents r the ones continuously screaming in the stands n pushing a kid when he doesn’t want to. In a few years he will hate the sport due to all the pushing. N I know in other sports you can’t be approached until your in your junior year n can’t sign until a senior.
Parents like this are what causes many coach’s leave their profession. Although I am not sure,I doubt NHL teams can not draft players of this age.
Hello it is a joke..
“It was a lot of hard work on our part,” exclaimed hockey-dad George LeBlanc. “And, also my son too I guess”
YOU GUESS????????????????????????????????????
Ok, call him a good coach, a good dad, whatever.
HE SEEMS TO BE AN ASSHOLE FOR “GUESSING” HIS SON WORKED HARD.
“I guess”
It is a joke you guys….come on.
Many people here are calling this a joke. Well ha, ha, ha. Laugh all you want. Guess you think child abuse is funny. You know, this is the kind of stuff that started World War I.
Sure, you may think it’s a joke for an NHL team to draft a child. You may think it’s a joke for anyone to root for Toronto. But please, it’s no joke that these parents are truly disturbed. Honestly!
People, please realize that this is satire. It is sending a subtle message to parents who yell too much and pressure their kids at hockey games. I can’t believe all the people on here who don’t get it.
Yes, this is just satire but unfortunately it’s real for some kids.
Drafted, at ten, seriously. This kid is obviously skating for them. Sit down, be quiet and let your son and the other parents play & watch in peace.
Well it worked out for someone ( over – exuberant parent ) . Wonder what the kid thinks of all this . I’ve seen kids totally lose interest because of this type of ” reinforcement ” . Hope it doesn’t happen to this one .
Seriously. Half of you are S-T-U-P-I-D. It’s blatant satire. Get your heads examined. The POINT of the story is this will never happen (your ten year old drafted), so stop being “those” hockey parents. It’s meant to read as ridiculous so the parents that do this, read it as such. Sadly, many of you don’t understand.
I think you maybe the less intelligent one if you haven’t figured out the responders are carrying on the joke and having fun with it. We get the authors intentions.
I agree with John. Why start name calling Bhollywood?? Is it necessary?