Steve LeBlanc - Builder (Media) - Class of 2022

Steve LeBlanc diligently covered local sports for The Milton Canadian Champion for 25 years and was the longest serving sports reporter in the newspaper’s 160-year history.

Acting as a trusted steward, Steve meticulously reported on everything from local minor championships, rising stars, and international professionals.

Through it all, Steve was the conduit through which Miltonians could not only follow their sons’ and daughters’ exploits at the rink, field or pitch, but also find pride in those who had risen to the global or national sports scene and were representing Milton on the big stage.

Steve’s consummate approach saw him ride shotgun on numerous road trips from Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Junior A hockey to provincial high school championships, and more.

Another hallmark of Steve’s coverage would be to relentlessly call down to the local rink staff late at night to find out if any word could be had on the outcome of this week’s story of interest.

Though minor league local sports have always been Steve’s bread and butter, the 2015 Pan-Am Games, with its Milton-based track cycling, are a highlight of his sports reporting career to be sure.

While it is difficult to quantify Steve’s impact on the town’s sporting history or landscape, unquestionably there is not a single inductee of the Milton Sports Hall of Fame that Steve has failed to profile.

In recognition of his dedication to his journalistic craft, Steve has repeatedly been granted industry awards, and in 2011-12 he received the OMHA Media Award.

Always striving to respectfully treat each new story with diligence and perspective, Steve has been the Town of Milton’s author of record and its sporting history’s caretaker. He has always “championed” Milton.