Blackhawks Return LeBlanc to Minors

After eight seasons in the minor leagues awaiting a chance to play in the NHL, U.S. Olympic team goaltender Ray LeBlanc got that opportunity Tuesday. He made the most of it, stopping 21 shots in beating the San Jose Sharks, 5-1, for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fame was fleeting. Chicago returned LeBlanc, 27, to Indianapolis of the International Hockey League Wednesday.

The Blackhawks had said that LeBlanc was in Chicago to substitute for Ed Belfour, who wanted to be with his wife while she gave birth Tuesday to their second child. They added that they wanted to make LeBlanc available for the expansion draft, which will stock new NHL franchises in Ottawa, Canada, and Tampa, Fla.

LeBlanc had been 4-0 for Indianapolis since returning from the U.S. Olympic team, which he led to the medal round in Albertville. He was 5-2-1 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage for the Olympians.