Defenceman Noah Dobson, 53, boxes out Jake Evans, 71, during a recent Montreal Canadiens’ training camp scrimmage at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, Que. John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal GazetteArticle contentAn off-season trade not only provided a fresh start in the NHL for Noah Dobson, but the opportunity to return to wearing a meaningful number.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“(When) I got drafted by Bathurst in junior (QMJHL), I didn’t really have a set number that I wore,” said Dobson, who was traded from the New York Islanders to the Montreal Canadiens on June 27. “So, when I was kind of deciding what number to wear, I wanted to find something sentimental and meaningful.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“My grandfather (David LeBlanc), my mom’s dad, passed away at age 53 of MS, so I thought it’d be a cool way, in the city where he lived and where my family’s from, to honour him (by wearing No. 53). I wore it through junior and really liked it.”Article contentDobson, who was drafted 12th overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft, enjoyed tremendous success wearing No. 53. Dobson, who signed an eight-year contract with the Canadiens following the trade, won back-to-back QMJHL and Memorial Cups with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2018 and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2019.Article contentThe 25-year-old Dobson made the jump to the NHL for the 2019-20 season.Article content“Obviously, when I went to the Islanders, I didn’t really have a choice of taking my number and was kind of given (No.) 8 and 53 was already taken,” said Dobson, who grew up in Summerside, P.E.I. “When I was traded to Montreal, it was obviously available and 8 was taken by (defenceman) Mike Matheson, a good veteran in the league.Article contentArticle content“So, I figured it’d be a cool way – a new team, new season – and go back to the old number that I wore throughout junior. and had some good success with. I’m happy to have it back on my back now.”Article contentArticle contentFamily connectionArticle contentDobson, who said he hopes to wear No. 53 for the rest of his hockey-playing career, thinks of his grandfather every time he pulls on the jersey.Article content“My grandmother (Betty Anne LeBlanc) always tells me how happy it makes her to see me wearing it now,” Dobson told The Guardian in a recent phone interview. “Obviously, any time you can have a positive impact in memory of someone in your family and create that for your family and people to put a smile on their face, it makes me feel good, too.Article content“It’s a cool little thing and I’m happy to have it back now.”Article content Noah Dobson, 53, circles behind the net of head coach Martin St-Louis during skating drill at a Montreal Canadiens’ training camp session at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, Que., recently. John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette Photo by John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette /Montreal GazetteArticle contentUnlike most players who move away from home to play major junior hockey, Dobson was fortunate to play in a city with family close by.
Montreal Canadiens Noah Dobson honouring late grandfather
