OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Chris Thibodeau Excited to Start Next Chapter with the Frontenacs

Published on July 4, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


As soon as Chris Thibodeau heard his name called by the Kingston Frontenacs, he pictured himself skating around the Leon's Centre. "I was overjoyed, I was super excited," he said. "A visual image came to my mind of me playing in the black and gold, and I'm really happy this happened."

Led by Head Coach and General Manager Paul McFarland, the Frontenacs selected Thibodeau 75th overall in the fourth round of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

A quick and agile skater, the 5-foot-8 centre is someone to get excited about. Growing up in Kitchener, Ontario, he had 12 goals for 23 points in 31 games with the Waterloo Wolves U15 AAA, before playing 2020-21 with the Kitchener Jr. Rangers U16 AAA.

However, his hockey-playing days did not start in Southern Ontario; instead, they began over 1,500 kilometres south in Charleston, South Carolina. His father, Ken Thibodeau played for the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, and the family stayed in the state until Chris was nine years old.

Beginning his hockey journey in the U.S., Thibodeau faced challenges that many Canadian kids do not face when growing up in the game. "I grew up playing with older kids because we didn't have too much high-level hockey where we were," said Thibodeau, who played with kids two years older than him.

While his Canadian counterparts learned to play against opponents their own age, Thibodeau found himself going into battles against much larger kids. With the disparity in size among young athletes, the 2005-born centre developed his agility in order to become successful in his situation.

Having a father who played at an elite level also helped Thibodeau overcome some of the obstacles that he faced as a younger player against older boys. "If I need to look to someone with a little bit of guidance, he's been through it all so it's nice and helpful to have him."

Ken Thibodeau never played in the OHL but played junior hockey near Kingston in Smith Falls, Ontario, suiting up for the Smith Falls Bears from 1988-1990. 31 years later, Chris will get a chance to play his junior hockey in the same area.

When Thibodeau eventually moved north, he had a step-up on kids his own age, harnessing his American hockey experiences. However, there was a significant difference in his game-day routine.

"I wasn't tired getting out of the car, everything is pretty close in Canada," he said of making the switch to Ontario minor hockey. "Not having to stretch for 30 minutes after getting out of the car was a big change."

While moving countries at any age is a tumultuous undertaking, Chris took it in stride as a nine-year-old. "I think that playing a couple of years up helped me a lot, maturing a bit quicker and being around older people," he said. "It was a big move, but I adjusted pretty quick, it was a bit easier for me than it might have been for someone else."

Having already made a significant life change when he was younger, the right-handed forward is excited about getting started in junior hockey. While moving away from home is daunting for most young players entering the next level, Thibodeau's face lights up when he thinks about it. "I've dreamt about it for a while, so I'm ready for it," he says, a smile gleaming across his face.

As a slighter player, Thibodeau has long looked up to former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis, who carved out a 1,134 NHL game career at the same height. Continuing to support Tampa Bay after St. Louis retired, Thibodeau could have an excellent week on his hands as the Lightning sit on the verge of a second-straight Stanley Cup championship.

Although he is ready to start the next chapter of his life, he is still very fond of his early years in the Southern U.S. "I'll always be a southern boy at heart," he said. However, Kingston is on the horizon, and he cannot wait to lace up his skates at the Leon's Centre. "It's a beautiful place up there, so I'm excited to get started."

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 4, 2021


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