BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
As a kid, Bobby Chaumont spent many nights at
the Sudbury Arena cheering on the Sudbury Wolves.
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Over time, those experiences would manifest a
passionate desire deep within ChaumontÂ's soul to one day pull
on a Wolves uniform himself and hear fans cheer him on.
Chaumont got his wish when he was selected by
the Wolves, 96th overall, in the 2000 draft.
In his four seasons, Chaumont defined himself
as SudburyÂ's go-to-guy when the team needed a goal.
Chaumont played his entire OHL career with
the Wolves, amassing 109 goals and 213 points in 272 games.
Chaumont also set the OHL record for consecutive games played,
and established the new mark of 272 games.
Chaumont shared many good times and bad times
over his four years, but it was all worthwhile in the
end.
Â"For me, it was a special time,Â" Chaumont
said. Â"To play in my hometown, which not a lot of kids get to
do, let alone play in the OHL, was just unbelievable. I still
remember my first night. It was a packed house. Don Cherry was
there. All my family and friends were there. It was a special
thing from then on. It was definitely a dream come
true.Â"
Chaumont is proud of setting the Iron Man
record, but heÂ's most fond of his final season.
Â"This past season was the highlight of my
career here,Â" said Chaumont. Â"Setting the consecutive games
played record was great, and something I will never forget, but
this season, we proved, as a team, we could compete and win on
almost any night. Then we had a good run in the playoffs,
making it to the second round. It was a great way to end it for
me.Â"
Although he was never drafted by an NHL team,
Chaumont isnÂ't done with hockey. Not in the least bit.
Offers have come his way from interested
clubs from the East Coast, American and University
leagues.
Chaumont will take the summer to figure out
his next move.
Â"ItÂ's my life, and itÂ's really starting
now,Â" said Chaumont. Â"I am going to be on my own. I want to
continue doing something in hockey. ItÂ's why I joined the game
as a kid. I want hockey to be a big part of my life, so I am
not going to stop now. Hockey is my life. I always said I
wanted to be a teacher. If hockey will take me into a career of
teaching, then I will do that. ItÂ's just going to get harder
and harder from now on, but itÂ's something I am prepared to
do.Â"
Chaumont leaves the Wolves with no
regrets.
Â"None at all,Â" said Chaumont. Â"Sometimes I
wonder what it would have been like to have an OHL career
outside of Sudbury, but I know it wouldnÂ't have been that
special then. I am not going to look back at anything I did
here and have regrets because I really enjoyed my time here.
Having my family right there the whole time made everything
worthwhile.Â"
Chaumont sees exciting times ahead for
WolvesÂ' fans as the next generation of players takes
over.
Â"Our rookies and younger guys were
outstanding for us,Â" said Chaumont. Â"This team is going to be
dangerous for a couple of seasons. If they can pick up where we
left off, then I think they can bring a championship to
Sudbury.Â"
Reaching fans on different levels was most
satisfying for Chaumont.
Â"There were so many people touched by the
way we played hockey or by what we did for the community,Â"
said Chaumont. Â"To be able to touch people and have them tell
you about it, is the best feeling a hockey player can
get.Â"
Chaumont will miss the fans.
Â"You canÂ't say enough about the fans,Â"
said Chaumont. Â"The last two years were unbelievable. Playing
in front of big crowds was thrilling. It was a pleasure playing
for the fans and I will miss them.Â"
Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno knows
first hand what it takes to make it at the next level having
played 17 seasons in the NHL and coached another five seasons
in the AHL. Chaumont will have to answer the door when
opportunity comes knocking.
Â"Look at BobbyÂ's ability to score goals,Â"
said Foligno. Â"He has an incredible touch around the net. He
will have to work on his speed and strength
though. We are proud for having Bobby play
for the Wolves. He was a great ambassador for us and the
city.Â"
