Jocelyn Thibault facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jocelyn Thibault |
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Thibault with the Pittsburgh Penguins in November 2006
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| Born | January 12, 1975 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Quebec Nordiques Colorado Avalanche Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks Pittsburgh Penguins Buffalo Sabres |
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| NHL Draft | 10th overall, 1993 Quebec Nordiques |
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| Playing career | 1993–2008 | ||
Joseph Régis Jocelyn Thibault (born January 12, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a goaltender, which is the player who defends the team's net. Thibault played for 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for several teams, including the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. Jocelyn Thibault was born in Montreal, Quebec, and grew up in nearby Laval.
After his playing career, he helped start a new hockey team. He led a group in Sherbrooke, Quebec, to create an expansion team in the QMJHL. This new team, called the Sherbrooke Phoenix, began playing in the 2012–13 season. In 2021, Thibault left the Phoenix. He became the new executive director of Hockey Quebec, which is a major hockey organization in Quebec.
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Playing Career Highlights
Early Hockey Days
When he was young, Thibault played in the 1988 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He played with a youth team from Laval, Quebec. Later, he played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He was part of the Trois-Rivières Draveurs and Sherbrooke Faucons teams.
Joining the NHL
The Quebec Nordiques picked Thibault in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 10th player chosen overall. He played for the Nordiques for a short time. The team then moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche.
Moving to Montreal
In 1995, during the Avalanche's first season in Denver, Thibault was traded. He went to the Montreal Canadiens in a big trade. This trade also sent famous goalie Patrick Roy to the Avalanche. Thibault played three seasons with the Canadiens. In November 1998, he was traded again, this time to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Time with the Blackhawks
Thibault played with the Blackhawks longer than any other team, staying for five seasons. His best season was the 2002–03 season. During that year, he had eight shutouts, meaning he didn't let any goals in during those games. He also played in the 2003 NHL All-Star Game. He achieved his best goals-against average (GAA) of 2.37 and a save percentage of .915. The next season, he had a hip injury that needed surgery.
Later NHL Teams
After a break in the NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Thibault in August 2005. He signed a two-year contract with them. However, a hip injury caused a tough start for him. He lost 12 of his first 13 games. He was replaced as the main goalie by Marc-André Fleury. In January 2006, he had surgery on his left hip.
On July 5, 2007, the Buffalo Sabres signed Thibault. He played one season with Buffalo as the backup goalie to Ryan Miller. After that season, he was not re-signed by the team.
Special Achievements
Jocelyn Thibault has a unique record. He was the winning goaltender in the very last game played at several famous arenas. These include the Montreal Forum, Maple Leaf Gardens, and the Capital Centre. He also played in the last game at Colisee de Quebec.
Personal Life
Thibault and his wife, Melanie, have three daughters. The family lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Thibault is also the godfather of Samuel Poulin. Samuel Poulin is an ice hockey player who is a prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
