It’s safe to say the hype surrounding Thomas Chabot hit an all-time high during last night’s quarterfinal win over the Czech Republic.
The 18th overall selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has built an impressive resume throughout his Junior career but last night was one of the best games of his young career and it just happened to take place on the biggest stage.
Chabot picked up a goal and an assist, including the game-winner, and had the Bell Centre crowd and the hockey world in general buzzing during a game in which he was by far the best player on the ice. And arguably, it was the most impressive individual performance by any player during this year’s World Junior Tournament.
With the game tied at 2-2 and the Czechs hanging around in a game Canada was expected to win handily, Chabot took matters into his own hands.
As the puck squirted out from behind the Czech goal line and into the high slot, Chabot jumped up in a situation where he was clearly the last man back. With one incredible deke to his backhand, Chabot shoot the Czech defender and was suddenly alone in the high slot. With his head up the whole time, Chabot rifled a perfect shot on the blocker side, giving Team Canada lead they would not relinquish.
It was a goal that had Twitter buzzing and Sens fans dreaming of a Chabot-Karlsson power play as early as next season.
As if that goal wasn’t impressive enough, Chabot seemed to get better from there. His poise with the puck in the second half of that game was unlike anything I’ve ever seen at that tournament. His ability to slow down the play and always be a couple moves ahead of the opposition stands out in a tournament known for its frantic pace.
Shortly after the 5-3 goal, it was clear Chabot was in some kind of zone. With a Czech fore-checker chasing him back into his own zone, Chabot did the ol’ head fake one way turn the other and the Czech player bit hard. You could almost hear the Bell Centre crowd falling in love with him at that point.
Moments before they announced the player of the game, the Bell Centre crowd was actually chanting Chabot’s name. I like to think of all the Bell Centre fans excitedly looking up Chabot after the game only to find out he plays for a Division rival.
Watching Thomas Chabot last night, it’s hard to believe that he couldn’t help the Ottawa Senators this year. You could probably make the argument that if he was given the opportunity, he’d be the third best defenceman on the team right now actually. Ottawa’s patience will hopefully pay off in the long run.
Chabot has been Canada’s best player to this point and arguably the top player in the tournament. He has 3 goals and 4 assists through 5 games and has been leaned on heavily throughout, leading Team Canada in ice time. He and the rest of Team Canada will have their hands full in the semifinals though as they take on Jonathan Dahlen, Filip Ahl and the powerhouse Swedes.
Should be fun to watch.
-Ottawa has had players stand out in the World Juniors before but it’s hard to remember a year quite like this one. All five of the guys there for Ottawa (Chabot, White, Dahlen, Ahl, Chlapik) have had moments of brilliance and you could certainly make the argument that Chabot, White and Dahlen have all been among the best players for their respective teams. It’s no wonder that Pierre Dorion is spending his five day break in Montreal this week. Obviously not every prospect will hit their ceiling but there’s no doubt that the Senators have a ton of potential in their prospect pool right now.
