SHAWINIGAN - Thomas Chabot is the first person off the Saint John Sea Dogs bus as it pulls up to Centre Gervais Auto on this snowy Wednesday and, about five hours later, the first player to mob his goalie after a huge come-from-behind win over the Shawinigan Cataractes.
The game itself offers further evidence as to why he was also the Senators’ first-round pick last summer and why he is now one of the first names rival GMs ask about in trade conversations with Bryan Murray.
But the Senators have no interest in dealing Chabot. They see him as a significant pillar in the strengthening of their defence, whenever he proves ready to arrive.