Why Thomas Chabot was ‘an easy choice’ for Sens captaincy

Just a few months shy of his 30th birthday, Thomas Chabot has long possessed the qualities that would make him an excellent father and an excellent captain.

In the span of five days, Chabot became both — so it’s understandable that he was losing his voice a bit when he met local media alongside Senators general manager and president of hockey operations Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green.

The longest-serving Ottawa Senator suspected something was up — that his jersey might have been altered at some point on Tuesday morning — when his wife, Marion, and their newborn daughter, Romy, were welcomed into the locker room by Senators owner Michael Andlauer. 

Shortly after, head coach Travis Green told the team that Chabot would be the 11th captain in franchise history, capping off a perfect week for the native of Sainte-Marie, Que., who also becomes the first Francophone to wear the ‘C’ in Ottawa.

“It's a lot, but it's fun. It's been nothing but pure joy, and seeing my little daughter every day, it's been awesome. And obviously topping it off today with being the captain, it's awesome. I don't have many words for it if I'm being honest, but it's been cool,” said Chabot, who has served as an alternate captain for six seasons.

“It’s a huge honour, I mean, you guys all know how much I care about this city and this team and take a lot of pride in wearing this jersey every single night. I take a lot of pride in coming to the rink every day and bringing some energy. The seasons are long, and you're going to have some good times as a team and some tougher times and it's always trying to stay steady.

“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 you know what, I think most of the guys appreciate that about me, and it's not going to change. And I don't want to repeat myself, but I've been saying the same thing to the group. 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.”

Chabot will draw upon support from his alternate captains this season, who were announced as Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson, and Claude Giroux. 

He’ll also continue to draw inspiration from leaders he’s met or played with in the past, mentioning Patrice Bergeron as an example of a ‘perfect human’ and Erik Karlsson as a ‘good teammate,’ and ‘fun to be around.’

“You try and pick [up] and learn, and not only captains, I think you pick [up] and learn from every guy that you meet,” said Chabot. 

“You go to some World Championships, you get to meet different guys and everybody is different, and I know that, but over the years, you're just trying to pick up from every kind of guy and make yourself better.”

Green and Staios told the media that Chabot, who is entering his 10th full season in Ottawa, was an easy choice for the role.

“It doesn’t need to be said, but totally well-earned and deserved. Thomas exemplifies everything that it means to be an Ottawa Senator, so proud day for us, for sure,” said Staios.

“Travis and I had some deep conversations, and in a lot of ways, we’re lucky, because there are many leaders in this room. I mean, Thomas steps up above-and-beyond for our group, but certainly, we feel very fortunate to have the group that we have.”

Green said that Chabot was always at the forefront of those conversations, and what he saw during training camp confirmed his gut feel. He said that Chabot “checks all the boxes” in terms of what a team looks for in a captain, and that he’s seen constant growth from his play on the ice.

“I think it was evident before camp to us, and as camp went on, that Chabby would be the guy. Like Steve said, he exemplifies everything you want in a captain. He’s committed, his willingness to sacrifice, his care —s and it’s not just for his teammates, but the city and the organization,” said Green.

“I’ve known Chabby 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 clear for me that he’s going to be a great captain for our team.”

Staios said that the open lines of communication that he has with the team made it so that there were no direct questions to be asked or votes that needed to be held in the locker room about the ‘C’.

“I don't manage from my office. I'm in and around the group. I get to see the dynamics of this group. And Thomas doesn't have to be anything other than what he is as the captain,” said Staios. 

“The players gravitate to him. The way that he plays the game, the way he commits to the game is inspiring for his teammates. When Travis and I took the time afforded to us, that was just [because we had the time].

“But I think for a long time, we knew who it was going to be. We have the very fortunate ability to look at a number of players on our group, to be able to lead us. But clearly, Thomas is the guy. And again, he doesn’t have to do anything different than what he’s already done, to lead this group.”

Chabot agreed that the only thing that changes for him is the letter on the front of his sweater.

“Whoever I was the last couple years is going to be the same person,” said Chabot. 

“If I get that letter, I'm not going to be a different guy. I'm going to stick to [being] the same person I've always been, and some of the guys already told me the same thing. So I guess I was doing some good stuff around the room, and that's what I'm going to keep doing.”

What will change for Chabot is balancing his day job as a hockey player with his more important job of being a dad to Romy. One day, she’ll understand what that first, less important job entails.

“Obviously it's going to be down the road, but right now it's more on just enjoying every minute possible with her,” said Chabot about Romy eventually learning that her dad plays hockey for a living. 

“Obviously lucky enough, it's before the season starts, so you get to spend some time at home and do my part. But no, it'll be fun to show her one day once she fully understands.”

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