Louis Chabot #26
St. Thomas Tommies
(July 29, 1967 - March 5, 1990)
When this virtual memorial to Lou Chabot was envisioned several months ago, I didn’t know whether there would be enough information available to make this web page. I mean, after all, it has been close to 17 years (1990) since his untimely death. Considering that I never had the pleasure to meet or speak with Louis, would it be possible to adequately explain to others what I didn’t know myself? Who was Lou Chabot?
What became very clear, very quickly, was good people like Lou Chabot are not easily forgotten. I am very grateful to everyone who shared their thoughts and memories about Lou, so he is more than just a name. Everyone can learn about the real Louis Chabot and why he was so deserving of being honoured every year by his friends, family, St. Thomas University and Fredericton hockey fans.
ONCE A TOMMIE, ALWAYS A TOMMIE. LOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US. HE WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED BY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND THE ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, FOR NOW AND BY FUTURE GENERATIONS OF TOMMIES AND FANS.
*****
March 14,1990. The Aquinian
By John Wilson
In Memory
Lou Chabot
On Monday March 5, we at Saint Thomas University suffered the loss of one of our own. Lou Chabot, 22, passed away in his sleep while visiting a friend in New York. Lou was a Deans list student as well as an excellent defenceman for the Tommies hockey team. To his fellow students, players, teachers, and others at STU, Lou was much more.
Lou’s death had a powerful impact on those he touched. The memorial service held on Wednesday March 7 served as an opportunity for them to pay tribute to a friend and to mourn his passing
The Chapel at St. Thomas overflowed with the many that knew Lou. The occasion brought home for many, the realization of their loss. Lou Chabot excelled both in the classroom and on the ice. But Lou was not a star. Lou Chabot did not brim with skating finesse or “that scoring touch” or that playmaking prowess. Lou was one of those players who worked for everything he became. In hockey, he became an intelligent stay-at-home defenceman in a league of too many stars. Lou made mistakes; he rarely made them twice. He played his role as a consistent reliable blue-liner, and made it easier for his team mates to play theirs. His talents were formidable, as much for this work ethic as his nature. He was a dependable player, a steady foundation that the Tommies needed. Unselfish on the ice, Lou was also very much a team player never to be heard complaining about ice time or the play of his team mates or any other complaints heard on the team bench.
So much as the Tommies needed him on the ice, the loss of Lou Chabot off the ice, is greater. With his team mates he was a quiet leader, commanding respect for the calm perspective he added in the dressing room. On a young team, Lou was one of the players the others looked up to as an example. Lou did not play because he loved hockey. He took the game seriously and his team mates revered him for it.
Lou looked to his education for his future. He understood the value of his studies and excelled in that field. A quiet person, Lou could be found in the back of the room, following along, typically prepared.
Lou Chabot made the most of his short time. His friends will miss him for what he was and mourn him for what he could have been. The loss of Lou is a great one whether as classmate, or simply as a friend. Mature and good-natured, filled with heart and determination, he will be missed by all for what he was. Tommies coach Al McAdam summed his character up best when he said Lou was a person who “never said I”.
By John Wilson
In Memory
Lou Chabot
On Monday March 5, we at Saint Thomas University suffered the loss of one of our own. Lou Chabot, 22, passed away in his sleep while visiting a friend in New York. Lou was a Deans list student as well as an excellent defenceman for the Tommies hockey team. To his fellow students, players, teachers, and others at STU, Lou was much more.
Lou’s death had a powerful impact on those he touched. The memorial service held on Wednesday March 7 served as an opportunity for them to pay tribute to a friend and to mourn his passing
The Chapel at St. Thomas overflowed with the many that knew Lou. The occasion brought home for many, the realization of their loss. Lou Chabot excelled both in the classroom and on the ice. But Lou was not a star. Lou Chabot did not brim with skating finesse or “that scoring touch” or that playmaking prowess. Lou was one of those players who worked for everything he became. In hockey, he became an intelligent stay-at-home defenceman in a league of too many stars. Lou made mistakes; he rarely made them twice. He played his role as a consistent reliable blue-liner, and made it easier for his team mates to play theirs. His talents were formidable, as much for this work ethic as his nature. He was a dependable player, a steady foundation that the Tommies needed. Unselfish on the ice, Lou was also very much a team player never to be heard complaining about ice time or the play of his team mates or any other complaints heard on the team bench.
So much as the Tommies needed him on the ice, the loss of Lou Chabot off the ice, is greater. With his team mates he was a quiet leader, commanding respect for the calm perspective he added in the dressing room. On a young team, Lou was one of the players the others looked up to as an example. Lou did not play because he loved hockey. He took the game seriously and his team mates revered him for it.
Lou looked to his education for his future. He understood the value of his studies and excelled in that field. A quiet person, Lou could be found in the back of the room, following along, typically prepared.
Lou Chabot made the most of his short time. His friends will miss him for what he was and mourn him for what he could have been. The loss of Lou is a great one whether as classmate, or simply as a friend. Mature and good-natured, filled with heart and determination, he will be missed by all for what he was. Tommies coach Al McAdam summed his character up best when he said Lou was a person who “never said I”.
*****
March 7th, 1990. Fredericton Daily Gleaner
Bruce Hallihan
Defenceman’s Death Shock to St. Thomas
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of 22 year old Lou Chabot, who died suddenly early Monday Morning.
Chabot, a defenceman the last two seasons for the St. Thomas Tommies’ hockey team, had gone to Long Island with team manager, Ed Wisz, for the March break.
The two left a week ago Sunday, following the Tommies’ season-ending playoff game against the University of Moncton Blue Eagles. Wisz is from Long Island, N.Y.
St. Thomas coach Al MacAdam said last night that the two men “were supposed to come back this morning (Monday). When Ed went to wake him, he found Lou had passed away during the night. They were performing an autopsy in New York this evening and we may or may not hear the results by (today).
“There was no indication of….anything (as to cause of death). They had gone to bed around 11 or 12 (Sunday night) and were going to drive back today (yesterday).
“It’s a shock,” MacAdam said. “We’re all trying to rationalize why this happened. Lou was to have graduated this year (with a Bachelor of Arts degree).”
Chabot, an Ottawa native, was considered a down-to-earth individual by those who knew him. “He was very humble,” MacAdam said. Chabot’s roommate was team mate Dan LeBlond.
Bruce Hallihan
Defenceman’s Death Shock to St. Thomas
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of 22 year old Lou Chabot, who died suddenly early Monday Morning.
Chabot, a defenceman the last two seasons for the St. Thomas Tommies’ hockey team, had gone to Long Island with team manager, Ed Wisz, for the March break.
The two left a week ago Sunday, following the Tommies’ season-ending playoff game against the University of Moncton Blue Eagles. Wisz is from Long Island, N.Y.
St. Thomas coach Al MacAdam said last night that the two men “were supposed to come back this morning (Monday). When Ed went to wake him, he found Lou had passed away during the night. They were performing an autopsy in New York this evening and we may or may not hear the results by (today).
“There was no indication of….anything (as to cause of death). They had gone to bed around 11 or 12 (Sunday night) and were going to drive back today (yesterday).
“It’s a shock,” MacAdam said. “We’re all trying to rationalize why this happened. Lou was to have graduated this year (with a Bachelor of Arts degree).”
Chabot, an Ottawa native, was considered a down-to-earth individual by those who knew him. “He was very humble,” MacAdam said. Chabot’s roommate was team mate Dan LeBlond.
*****
April 19,1990 Fredericton Daily Gleaner.Bruce Hallihan
STU’s Defenceman’s Death Traced to Heart Problem
An autopsy report has revealed that Lou Chabot died last month of heart problems. Chabot, a 22-year-old defenceman for the St. Thomas Tommies’ hockey team, passed away in his sleep early on the morning of March 5 in Long Island, N.Y.
Dr. Andrew Wolodzko, who performed the autopsy, said two conditions contributed to Chabot’s death. He had “a chronic inflammation of the heart and abnormally small blood vessels in the heart muscle. Because of the inflammation, the heart went into an irregular rhythm and, combined with the small blood vessels, resulted in not enough blood going to the brain.” said the autopsy report.
Chabot was with St. Thomas hockey trainer Ed Wisz. The two men had made the trip during the university’s spring break and they were scheduled to drive back to Fredericton on the 5th, a Monday.
A memorial service was held in Fredericton two days later. The wake and funeral were held in Ottawa – Chabot’s hometown.
Tommies’ coach Al MacAdam said Chabot had a medical examination in 1988 at the University of Ottawa, but nothing unusual showed up. The abnormally small blood vessels were picked up on a microscope. As for the chronic inflammation, MacAdam said “chronic” means anything more than two or three weeks and is not necessarily lingering in the body for a number of years.
At STU’s annual awards’ banquet on March 20th, the prestigious John Frederick Walls Memorial Award was given posthumously to Chabot. The award is given annually to “a male upperclassman of good character who has actively participated in athletics at the University and has maintained a good academic standing in addition to representing the athletic ideal.”
As well, the school has established the Lou Chabot Memorial Fund and, beginning next season, the trophy for the Tommies’ top defenceman will be named the Lou Chabot Trophy.
Chabot was on the Dean’s list and was the team’s assistant captain last season.
*****
A few testimonials about Lou from friends and family.
From Luc Chabot, brother.
Louis was 2 years younger than me and was an extremely hard working student and hockey player. He took great pride in his schooling and was about to graduate before he passed away I have fond memories of him working out in his room after school doing push ups, sit ups and squats over his head, sweating to make himself stronger. We had a typical brotherly love where we wrestled in the house but soon stopped when he got stronger than his big brother!! He was 6'1 and 210 of solid muscle and he enjoyed knowing that he could beat me up! I was a gifted hockey player and things came fairly easily to me in hockey. I was a high scoring forward who did well in my career as Louis had to work his butt off to become a solid stay at home defenseman. I know he was proud of my career but I was more proud of him doing well in school and making himself a solid hockey player.From Stephan Deschenes, friend and team mate.
I had the pleasure of Louis visiting me in England for X-mas and New Year[ 89-90]. We spent 2 great weeks together and he actually played in an exhibition game for my team and that was the first time we actually played on the same team. I was going to try to sign him for our team after he graduated but unfortunately never got that chance. We were close as brothers and grew closer as we got older. Louis loved going out with his buddies for a couple of cold ones and look at the ladies. Even to this day when I show a picture to someone they always say WOW HE'S GORGEOUS. Obviously follows in his brother's footsteps!
He was visiting his trainers house in New York when I got a call from my mom informing me "what's the worst thing that I could tell you," needless to say my world was turned inside out. I went home the next morning and we had to organize the funeral. I had a chance to meet allot of his teammates and coach Al McAdam. The night of his funeral the guys and I went out to celebrate my brother's short but memorable life as he would of wanted. I have had several instances where my brother has talked to me and I know he's looking over me. I now have a son who will turn 6 on January 23 and needless to say he's called Louis. I can't believe it's already almost 17 years since he passed away but there hasn't been a single day that I haven't thought about him.
From Repentigny Quebec, I played with Lou in his last season, which was my first year as a Tommie.From Rick Poirier, friend and team mate (goalie).
First year is often tough on a player, and Lou even if he was a veteran, he was the first player to help me out. I am a quiet person , I do not drink, and it is often hard to be accepted in a hockey team, but I could count on Lou, he was such a gentlemen, that I could always count on.
Lou was a highly respected person, because of the respect he was giving everyone, and also his integrity. I had chosen to have a single room (no roommate) and many times, Lou called on me to use my room to study (he studied so hard). Lou was a model of perseverance and I am grateful to all of you for helping us remember him and to have put in place this great memorial.
If the world had more Lou, it would be a world of equity, integrity, success and peace.
I had the opportunity to play hockey with and live right next door to Louie in residence, he was a quite person, kind, and very caring about others. One of his favorite sayings to me was "Hey Le Gros." That year we had several French speaking guys on our team and we always joked in French to each other. I remember one night while we had been out and about having a few Pop's when Louie came in my room at about 4:30 am asking me if it was ok if he could stay in my room, I found it funny and asked why, "because Le gros...just because" is all he said as he went to sleep in my room mates bed (whom was away for the week-end) I asked him in the morning what was up and he just gave me that cool-aid smile of his and said "Because Le Gros..Just Because" We just left it at that....God I loved him, he was a hell of a defenseman too, he loved to move the men in front of me and never got stressed out for any game.....Character..Cheers Rick Poirier #33From Stefan Giberson, friend and team mate.
When I think of Lou a couple of things immediately come to mind as to what type of friend and hockey player he was. He was probably the most consistent player on the ice and a true work horse.From Ed Wisz, friend and team trainor.
Off the ice Lou was everyone’s friend and always was willing to help. A personal story comes to mind of Lou willing to help me, even after we endured a weekend road trip. We arrived home at a late hour and I was struggling with a school paper. Lou wanted to help and was still willing to take the time after arriving home late and exhausted. It didn’t matter when or where, he was always there and I appreciated his help. Lou was a great teammate and friend.
It is amazing to me to this day how often I think about Lou and how equally difficult it is to turn those thoughts into words and give you some insight into the kind of person he was. My perspective may be a little different from others, as Lou and I were finishing spring break in New York when he passed away the night before we were going to return to school.From Shane Corston, friend and team mate. (goalie)
The thing that immediately comes to mind when I think about Lou was his ability to make the most of things in school, in hockey, and in life. At Saint Thomas (and prior to that) he was a Dean’s List student, but would never hesitate to offer his time and help if someone needed it. (And yes, I took him up on it alot!)
On the ice, he’d always joke that he didn’t have the most talent. His brother Luc was a great goal scorer, so he’d always say I’m no Luc (actually, I’m no Dukie to be exact), but he constantly worked hard, put in extra time before and after practices and was one of the assistant captains. In giving Lou the A, I believe the message Al [Coach Al MacAdam] was sending was for everyone to watch how hard Lou was working and try to do the same thing.
Lou used to wear these maroon sweatbands on his wrists during games. For years, every time I played, I put sweatbands on my wrists to remind myself of Lou and to try to emulate what I saw in him, someone who tried to make the most out of what he had to work with and to keep working hard. To this day, even when I am having a hard day at work, I think about the sweatbands and it reminds me to keep it all in perspective and do the best I can.
Lou was and is a great friend. Always up for making the most of a day, it was nothing for him to say hey-we’ve got the day off let’s go to Bangor or let’s grab dinner, which is how we ended up going to New York- the team had just been eliminated in the playoffs and on the bus ride back to Fredericton, he said “let’s go to the Apple I’ve never been there.” In life, Lou was a participant, not a spectator.
I could never get all the stories, all the laughs, and all the memories into something this short, so I'll just say that Lou was an amazing guy that I’m proud to have known and call a friend.
Thinking back to Lou, a lot of wonderful memories come back. It was a fun time and I think as we all look back a very worthwhile time. The hockey, the school, but most importantly the friendships. Lou without question was a quality person on and off the ice, a guy that could be counted on no matter where you met or what was going on. Lou was a 'character' with character. Our reaction to what happened truly showed what he meant to us and what we meant to each other.From Ron Vaive, friend and team mate.
As I read through the articles some fond memories of Lou came rushing back to me and it brought a tear to my eye. He was a wonderful person and like everyone said, he always thought of others and tried to help if he could. It is always sad when someone so good and with so much potential is taken from us far too early. I have my STU jersey from the following year after Lou's death. We honoured Lou's memory that year with a patch on the STU sweaters, but instead of putting the patch on the shoulder like most teams do, Coach Al MacAdam put it on the chest, right over the heart. This was something that Truly spoke of Lou's commitment to the team and what a wonderful person he was. I still play rec hockey and always keep that jersey in my hockey bag. It goes with me anywhere I go to play hockey and every once in a while I take it out to show someone and I always explain the patch and talk about what a great person Lou was. It is always with me and it keeps Lou's memory alive within me.From Scott MacTavish, friend and team mate.
Ron Vaive # 14, STU Tommies, 86 - 91
Lou Chabot was my partner on defense with the Tommies. Not flashy, but steady performer who played a key part in the playoff run of 1989. He was a very calm ,quiet guy who treated everyone the same regardless of who they were. He made people feel like they were important to him, and treated others with respect and dignity. Lou contributed to one of my highest marks while attending STU. B plus in Jon Rahn’s French class.(Way to go Lou and Al Latreille).*****
Lou was very mature and wise beyond his years. He was an observer and always willing to help others, whether academically, personally or hockey related. It is hard to believe that almost 17 years have passed. Lou we will see you in hockey heaven someday.
Scott MacTavish
“Duke”
Lou Chabot’s Academic History.
- Attended Primary and Secondary schools, Gradees 1 to 13, in Ottawa, Ontario. 1971 - 86.
- Attended Hamilton College in in Clinton, NY where he was a Dean’s List student. 1986-87.
- Attended the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario. 1987-88.
- Attended St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB. Dean’s list student. 1988-90.
Other facts.
- “To recognize Lou Chabot’s personal contribution to the St. Thomas community, and to promote academic and athletics excellence in its students, the University has established the Lou Chabot Memorial Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the endowment will fund the Lou Chabot Memorial Award. The Award will recognize character, leadership, and achievement in both academic and athletic pursuits.” St. Thomas University notice.
- Annual Lou Chabot Memorial Game helps to fund the award. It is held annually against cross campus rival UNB.
- The Lou Chabot trophy is presented annually to the Men’s hockey team top defenceman.
- Lou’s minor hockey team the East Ottawa Voyageurs have also named an award for him.
Front Row (L-R) Shane Corston,Scott MacTavish, Lou Chabot, Peter Pacey (Asst. Coach) Alan MacAdam (Head Coach) Mark Hegarty (Asst. Coach) Roger MacInnis, Shawn Lehman, Phil Huckins, Rick Poirier.
Middle Row(L-R) Mark Osborne (Trainer), Mark Thompson, Stephan Deschenes, Serge Ouellet, Gilles Doiron, David O'Leary, Wade Stewart, Brent Grant, Phil Daigle, Ed Wisz(Trainer), Jon Rahn
Back Row(L-R) Kevin Inch, Brandon MacMillan, Darren MacNaughton, Ron Vaive, Tony Carlisle, Stefan Giberson, Al Latreille, Stewart Cosman, Dan Leblond.