THE OLYMPICS: WINTER GAMES AT ALBERTVILLE : NOTES

Ray LeBlanc, who has been playing minor league hockey since the 1984-85 season, will start in goal today for the U.S. team’s tournament opener against Italy.

LeBlanc, 27, joined the Olympic team in November after having been sent to Indianapolis of the International Hockey League by the Chicago Blackhawks, who signed him as a free agent in September of 1989.

LeBlanc edged out Scott Gordon and Mike Dunham. Gordon was scheduled to dress as LeBlanc’s backup today.

“LeBlanc has the best stats in save average (.894) and goals against (3.63),” U.S. Coach Dave Peterson said. “We brought him into Philadelphia (Nov. 10 against the Flyers) and he got us a 1-1 tie and made 39 saves.”

LeBlanc was told of the decision during Saturday’s practice at the Olympic Arena.

“Every time you put on the jersey and represent your country, it’s quite an honor,” he said. “At the beginning of the year, if you had asked me, I wouldn’t have known anything about the Olympics. I’m really surprised at how things turned out.”

Mike Eruzione, captain of the “Miracle on Ice” team that won the gold medal for the U.S. at Lake Placid in 1980, presented gold watches to this year’s team. They were inscribed with a good-luck message from the ’80 team.