Former Hurricanes PA announcer remembered

As the public address announcer for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Mike LeBlanc looked the part.

And most importantly, he sounded the part. That is how a fellow former Canes public address announcer remembers LeBlanc, who passed away Feb. 5 of natural causes at the age of 56.

As someone who filled many roles with the Hurricanes, Gibson sat alongside LeBlanc on many a game night.

“I went and worked in the penalty box, so I was sitting right beside him,” said Gibson. “He was very professional and he had a great broadcasting voice and was smooth as glass. He carried himself well. When he was the PA announcer, he had the sport jacket, shirt and tie.”

LeBlanc moved to Fort Saskatchewan from Lethbridge in 2012.

According to Luke England of FortSaskOnline, LeBlanc was known for his role as station manager at MIX 107, a local school bus driver as well as various roles in marketing positions. He also served as the president of the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce and helped organize the chamber’s Santa Claus parade, serving on their board for seven years.

LeBlanc’s announcing talents also took him to the Canadian Football League, serving as the public address announcer for the Edmonton football club since 2019.

As much as LeBlanc excelled in front of a mic, he was equally respected away from it.

“Mike was very professional and easy to get along with,” said Gibson of the former morning host of 1220 CJOC in Lethbridge. “He had a great broadcasting voice and was just easy to work with, a good guy and extremely well-liked. Just a consummate professional.

“As a morning man, he had one of those voices that was perfect.”

On Monday, the Hurricanes expressed their condolences on their Twitter page.

“The Hurricanes family are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former PA Announcer, Mike LeBlanc. Mike was a kind, caring, and joyful man, a strong supporter of hockey at all levels. Our thoughts are with Mike’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Follow @DWoodardHerald on Twitter