When Thomas Chabot saw his wife, Marion, and five-day-old daughter Romy in the Ottawa Senators dressing room Tuesday, he knew what was coming.
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Owner Michael Andlauer welcomed Romy into the Senators family and turned it over to head coach Travis Green to announce Chabot as the team’s 11th captain.
“When I saw my wife and my newborn coming in the room, it kind of obviously clicked in. I figured wasn’t it just an introduction to my daughter, to the full team and staff,” said Chabot.
“It was a cool moment. It hasn’t really clicked in, but it’s definitely something I take a lot of pride in, and it’s a huge honour.”
Heading into his 10th NHL campaign, Chabot is currently the club’s longest-tenured player. Selected 18th overall in the 2015 Entry Draft, the defenseman has seen it all from rebuilding to finally making postseason appearances in back-to-back seasons.
Senators general manager Steve Staios noted Chabot’s longevity with Ottawa was one of many factors.
“I think that’s part of it. I mean, his commitment to the organization. He’s been here for a decade, and he’s seen a lot and some ups and downs. But just the timing for him, I think, it’s interesting because, you know, we are on a good trajectory as a team, and I think part of leadership is experience and being through tough times and dealing with that adversity and learning from that. Those are certainly things that make a good leader.”
Staios added, “Thomas’s steadiness, his energy, his commitment– we talked all about that. And part of Thomas that I think gets a little bit misunderstood is like he’s an offensive defenseman. He can wheel around the ice and make plays, but he’s tough as nails.”
Green called Chabot a “warrior” last season for all the injuries the 29-year-old played through; notably, after having surgical screws inserted to repair an arm fracture, the d-man returned to the Senators lineup two weeks later.
The Senators head coach echoed his GM’s comments, “He exemplifies everything that we want in a captain: his commitment, his willingness to sacrifice, his care, and it’s not just for his teammates, but the city and the organization. I’ve known “Shabby” now for two years, and I’ve been so impressed with him since I’ve come to Ottawa. Would I have said that two or three years ago? No, but now it’s it’s clear for me that he’s going to be a great captain for our team.”
Chabot is known as a personable player who’s respected on and off the ice. Players gravitate to his outgoing personality. And his demeanour won’t change as Senators captain.
“I take a lot of pride in coming to the rink every day, bringing some energy, and the seasons are long. You’re going to have some good times as a team and some tougher times, and it’s always trying to stay steady. It’s a long season; it’s a tough league, guys go through different waves through the season,” explained Chabot, who’s eligible to sign a contract extension next July 1.
“So I always take a lot of pride in being there for my teammates every day, and coming in and bringing a smile on the guys’ faces, and bringing a lot of energy anytime we get out there for practice or in the gym or whatever we do. And and you know what? I think most of the guys appreciate that about me. And it’s not going to change. Yes, I’m the one wearing the “C”, but I do believe it takes all 20-plus guys in there to push in the same direction, and I think we have that in here.”
The Senators also named Claude Giroux, Jake Sanderson, Tim Stützle alternate captains.
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