In northern New Brunswick, a surge of solidarity is being organized to support a long-time coach who is currently battling cancer.
Marcel Tubber LeBlanc has been giving his time to young athletes in Restigouche for over 50 years.
He is the head coach of the Prédateurs de la Polyvalente Roland-Pépin in Campbellton. He coached dozens of clubs, especially in Dalhousie and Campbellton.
I’ve been doing this in sport for 52 years. Baseball, softball, hockey, says Marcel LeBlanc.
Open in full screen mode
Polyvalente Roland-Pépin in Campbellton. (Archive photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / François Vigneault
The man everyone calls Tubber was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Even if he is sometimes weakened by his treatments, Marcel LeBlanc insists on continuing to pass on his passion and his values to these young hockey players.
I want to be positive all the time, he says. I don’t want to be negative at all, at all, at all. I was positive throughout and continued to coach hockey.
A fundraiser
Exceptionally, the Predators will play their next match on Friday at the Inch Arran Ice Palace in Dalhousie, Tubber’s hometown.
To support their coach, the Prédateurs want a full house for their first playoff game against Saint-Léonard.
Spectators are invited to wear a cowboy hat, a nod to Tubber LeBlanc’s favorite headgear.
All profits generated will be given to their mentor.
Open in full screen mode
Maxime Levesque, the director of the Prédateurs, encourages the public to come and support coach Marcel LeBlanc.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Serge Bouchard
In similar passages, when you can have more people on your side, it also helps you face other challenges, says the general director of the Prédateurs, Maxime Levesque.
Tubber LeBlanc is of course very moved by this support. It’s really, really appreciated,” he said.
A similar tribute will also be paid to him on Saturday evening at the same place by the senior team the Maraudeurs.
According to the report by Serge Bouchard
2024-03-15 14:11:59
#hockey #world #mobilizes #support #Tubber #LeBlanc #battling #cancer
