SEA DOGS 2013 DRAFT PICKS: THOMAS CHABOT
Aug. 28, 2013,
SAINT JOHN, NB – The Saint John Sea Dogs had six choices in the top 54 picks of the 2013 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft. They used their third pick, the 22nd overall selection, to pick Thomas Chabot (pronounced sha-BOT).
The young defenceman hails from Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, QC and has been skating since he was just three years old.
“At three years old, he would take me to the arena to skate,” said Chabot. “The big influence (in hockey), that’s my dad.”
His father made the trip down to watch his son try for the Sea Dogs 2013-14 squad.
“My dad always followed me and what I was doing,” Chabot said. “It’s good to know that my dad’s helped me since I was young, to get here. He’s always helped me.”
The 16-year-old also went in to the draft without knowing where he would end up, a situation that also didn’t seem to phase the young man. It also didn’t have an effect on his work ethic over the summer.
“I didn’t know who was going to choose me,” said Chabot. “I went there and just waited to know. I really had no idea before the draft. After the draft, I hit the gym and trained hard to be here and in good shape to earn my place on this team.”
Chabot also had the pleasure of attending the selection camp for Team Canada – Quebec for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Something he credits with taking him this deep into training camp.
“It was good,” Chabot said. “It was really tough, because all the best players under 17 in Quebec are there. It was another great experience. It helped me get in shape and be ready to play good hockey at this (Sea Dogs) training camp.”
“I’m an offensive d-man who likes to skate with the puck and make a good first pass,” Chabot said of his playing style. “I’m good at defense, but it’s not the best part of my game, but I’m good at that too.”
Chabot and the remaining players at Sea Dogs training camp have two final pre-season games to show their stuff to the Dogs brass. A trip on Sept. 6th will see the Dogs in Moncton to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m.
The final pre-season tilt takes place at Harbour Station with the Wildcats completing the home-and-home at 3 p.m. Sunday Sept. 8th. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 657-1234 or visiting tickets.harbourstation.ca.
