Tyler Cameron: Random Blackhawks Spotlight - Jocelyn Thibault I felt like the former Blackhawks goalies weren't getting any love they deserved for their randomness, so I'm working in Jocelyn Thibault to this edition of Random Blackhawks Spotlight.

Let's take a look at how he came into the Blackhawks organization and where he is today.

FIRST !

I thought he had talent, but some of the Hawks teams he played for were awful!! The kid really had a lot of pressure on him early in his career; drafted 10th overall, traded for Patrick Roy, and then coming home to play in the pressure cooker of Montreal. Thought he did a serviceable job on some bad Hawks teams.

I was big Thibault fan. I also really liked Hackett, too.

My memory is escaping me now, but I can’t remember which one of the two rocked the angled blocker for a bit. I think it was Hackett..?

Also...I didn’t realize Manson came back to Chicago via the Thibault trade. Very cool.

Favorite Thibault memory, a Al MacInnis slap shot breaking his index finger.

Tyler great walk down memory lane. I didn't remember him getting moved to Chicago so quickly after Chicago traded belfour.

I still remember Pulford trading chelios , Roenick and belfour all because papa wirtz was cheap and unloyal to the business of hockey or fans.

Thibault was let go by the Hawks after they signed Khabibulin who had one good year for the Hawks, outrageous contract signed right after the Lightning won the Cup with him.

I was big Thibault fan. I also really liked Hackett, too.

My memory is escaping me now, but I can’t remember which one of the two rocked the angled blocker for a bit. I think it was Hackett..?

Also...I didn’t realize Manson came back to Chicago via the Thibault trade. Very cool.
- Matt Ross

Too bad Manson was done by then. I still think that trade was made as a shakeup plus the Hawks thought they were getting a great young goalie in Thibault, too bad the product was terrible and Thibault never got the chance to play in front of a good Hawks team.

I remember wanting him to be really good, and being relatively happy with his performance considering what was in front of him.

I also remember he occasionally broke out the stacked pads move, and was agile enough to get back up and back in position quickly.

Thibault was let go by the Hawks after they signed Khabibulin who had one good year for the Hawks, outrageous contract signed right after the Lightning won the Cup with him.
- ChicagoHope

Wasn't he signed after a lockout by uncle Dale.

Wasn't he signed after a lockout by uncle Dale.
- BGKarras

He was, then Thibault was cut loose and ended up going to Pittsburgh as a backup. Lightning won the Cup right before the lockout.

He was, then Thibault was cut loose and ended up going to Pittsburgh as a backup. Lightning won the Cup right before the lockout.
- ChicagoHope

Thanks

If you're going to do Hawk goalies, please do my favorite, Gerry Desjardins!

Came to the Hawks from the Kings during my youth (1969-72). He wore the exact same mask design I did, both made by the guy who made Tony O's masks. And he had the same eye injury wearing that mask that I did in college.

Thibault was let go by the Hawks after they signed Khabibulin who had one good year for the Hawks, outrageous contract signed right after the Lightning won the Cup with him.
- ChicagoHope

Another Bowman fail.

Might be a bit off topic to say, but my favorite memory of Thibault was seeing his wife in the stands near our season tickets and getting a look at those massive grade A jugs. She was definitely hot.

I remember wanting him to be really good, and being relatively happy with his performance considering what was in front of him.
- Chunk

Chunk, I had the same appreciation for Thibault. During his tenure with Chicago, I'll admit he was one of my favorite players.

There's that prevalent theory that any goalie would have won the 2010 Cup or possibly even the 2013 and 2015 Cups given the strength of the Blackhawks defense.

Would Thibault be a Cup winner had he been the starter those years instead of Niemi and Crawford?

Thibault was let go by the Hawks after they signed Khabibulin who had one good year for the Hawks, outrageous contract signed right after the Lightning won the Cup with him.
- ChicagoHope

That contract made Khabibulin the highest paid goalie in the NHL at that point in time.

Chunk, I had the same appreciation for Thibault. During his tenure with Chicago, I'll admit he was one of my favorite players.

There's that prevalent theory that any goalie would have won the 2010 Cup or possibly even the 2013 and 2015 Cups given the strength of the Blackhawks defense.

Would Thibault be a Cup winner had he been the starter those years instead of Niemi and Crawford?
- AEL_Fox

Obviously.

Fun fact that no one will care about: Both Thibault, and Perrault rented a house from a friend of mine while with the Hawks.

First let me sayI appreciate your efforts to keep us entertained, TC.

This one, however, went over like a lead balloon.

I have no fond memories. He was just another bad decision by Uncle Dale.

Uncle Dale spends money like a drunken sailor.

Obviously.

Fun fact that no one will care about: Both Thibault, and Perrault rented a house from a friend of mine while with the Hawks.
- Chunk

As much as I felt Crawford was better than Niemi back in 2010, I don't believe they win that Cup with Huet playing. Let alone Thibault. I would take a drunken Khabby over Thibault.

How in the world is the NHL going to survive this? Without fans and a sub par TV contract where does the revenue come from to keep this league afloat?

As much as I felt Crawford was better than Niemi back in 2010, I don't believe they win that Cup with Huet playing. Let alone Thibault. I would take a drunken Khabby over Thibault.
- Elbows15

I'm too lazy to put red font on anything, but that was implied with the "obviously".

Thibault was never a great player by any means. I just always thought he put in an honest effort behind some truly brutal Hawks teams.

To the bolded, yes in every case, I would prefer a better goalie to a lesser one.

As much as I felt Crawford was better than Niemi back in 2010, I don't believe they win that Cup with Huet playing. Let alone Thibault. I would take a drunken Khabby over Thibault.
- Elbows15

Have to agree with you. I remember a game in OT against ST Louis (i think). 2 on 1 for visitors, D man has the weak side guy and goalie has the puck handler. They cross the blue line and Thibault immediately hits the ice on his tummy and starts swimming. The opponent waltzes in, chips it over Thibault, and instead of raising his stick and doing a celly he just started laughing. It was (frank)ing disgusting. Thibault was brutal.

I'm too lazy to put red font on anything, but that was implied with the "obviously".

Thibault was never a great player by any means. I just always thought he put in an honest effort behind some truly brutal Hawks teams.

To the bolded, yes in every case, I would prefer a better goalie to a lesser one.
- Chunk

I meant literally drunk.

The spotlight on Thibeault is a good call, Cameron; thanks for reviewing his time in the league (not just for the Blackhawks).

I do not aim to steal any ideas you might have, Cameron. However the goaltender review got me thinking how Chicago has always had pretty good goaltending going as far back as Bannerman. The exception would be Hurt. He could be good but his unorthodox style coupled with soft goals caused him much derision on hockey boards.

I am throwing this out for others to respond:

Rate the goaltenders beginning with Bannerman as to whom was best to worse. Is Crawford the best. Niemi is considered only for his brief tenure here not his career overall.