The LeBlanc twins are the first North Bay Battalion players to take advantage of the new NCAA hockey rules.
Overagers Andrew LeBlanc and Jacob LeBlanc of the North Bay Battalion have committed to Princeton University for the 2025-26 season, becoming the first members of the Ontario Hockey League club to prepare to join a National Collegiate Athletic Association team since player eligibility rules changed.
The NCAA’s Division I council voted Nov. 7 to permit former Canadian Hockey League players to compete for Division I schools in the U.S. starting next Aug. 1. Previously, CHL participation ended players’ eligibility.
Prior to that decision, the only option for graduating OHL players was to pursue pro hockey opportunities or play USports hockey in Canada.
“We chose Princeton because it’s one of the best schools in the world,” the twins said in a joint statement.
“On top of that, we were really able to connect and get along with the coaching staff. They have an amazing hockey program that’s constantly building, and we want to be a part of it and help them be a top team.
“We want to thank all of our family and the coaching staff, along with everyone who has made tremendous impacts on us. We thank North Bay for bringing us in last year. We’re especially thankful to the Campbell family for taking us in and everyone else here in North Bay for being super welcoming and helping us be the players and people we are today.”
Adam Dennis, Battalion president and director of hockey operations, hailed the LeBlancs’ achievement.
“We’re incredibly proud of Jacob and Andrew on their commitment to Princeton. This will be a great opportunity to continue with their goal of playing professional hockey while earning a top-notch education at the same time.”
The Battalion acquired the brothers and Sandis Vilmanis from the Sarnia Sting in a trade last Jan. 6 for Carter Kostuch, Alex Cajkovic and six OHL Priority Selection picks. Centre Andrew, who also has played left wing, and defenceman Jacob were first- and third-round selections respectively by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2020 Priority Selection from the Southern Tier Admirals minor midgets.
The twins, of whom Jacob is the older, were born June 3, 2004, at George Town, Cayman Islands, and lived in Australia before moving to Port Colborne, Ont., as youngsters.
The New Jersey-based Tigers are among six teams from the eight Ivy League schools that play ECAC Hockey, with Columbia and Pennsylvania the exceptions. Ben Syer, a Kitchener native, is embarking on his first season as head coach after 12 years as associate head coach of the Cornell University Big Red of Ithaca, N.Y., for whom Justin Ertel played a season before joining the Troops in 2022.
The LeBlancs’ commitments follow the Battalion’s signing of right winger Nick Wellenreiter to a development and education agreement after he left the Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League, which operates outside Hockey Canada. Under the new NCAA rules, Wellenreiter, a University of Maine commit, can play for the Black Bears after his OHL days.
