We compiled the best fan and reporter reactions on social media after the Sens named their 11th captain in franchise history on Tuesday.

There were other strong candidates for the Ottawa Senators’ captaincy, but no one more deserving than Thomas Chabot.

The 29-year-old, who has spent his entire professional career with one franchise, has had a whirlwind start to his 10th NHL season. Last week, he and wife Marion welcomed their first child, daughter Romy, to the world.

Tuesday morning, the Senators surprised Chabot with the ‘C’ in the most heartwarming way.

Our very own Bruce Garrioch had it right from the beginning.

I’ve said all along I feel Thomas Chabot deserves the C. I’m taking him in the pool as we wait. #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 29, 2026

The local media waited patiently while the Senators had their secret meeting in the locker room.

And then the man of the hour walked in.

THOMAS CHABOT IS THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR OTTAWA SENATORS 😭😭😭🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️CAN I GET A GO SENS GO #GoSensGo

— Margaret O’Toole (@OToole_19) September 29, 2026

Chabot has stuck with this organization during a lot of difficult times. He has battled through numerous injuries, most recently a broken forearm in the spring (it hadn’t fully healed by the time he returned just ahead of the playoffs). His loyalty and dedication did not go unappreciated on Tuesday.

Chabot has done nothing but embrace being an Ottawa Senator from the minute he was drafted. Longest serving member of this team.

Should’ve been him in 2021. New era starts now.

— Jack Richardson (@jackrichrdson) September 29, 2026

Chabot deserves it. He committed to this team during the darkest days and fully embraced the city. Character is like night and day from the previous captaincy. I couldn’t be happier. Can finally proudly say THAT’S MY CAPTAIN #GoSensGo https://t.co/VDNUAWUkhy

— kaz (@kazGoSensGo) September 29, 2026

Chabot was asked about the leaders he has learned from over the years.

“I got the chance when I was younger to workout with Patrice Bergeron in Quebec,” he said. “And that was always a guy that obviously kind of was the perfect human, kind of. Just seeing him every day in the gym and the way he took practice in the summer kind of like almost an official game, it’s guys like that you learn from.

“Obviously being with Erik (Karlsson) when I was here (as a rookie), kind of the fun guy, lots of energy, being fun to be around, good teammate. You try and pick and learn, and not only (from) captains.”

Some people noticed one particular omission.

Chabot mentioning Erik Karlsson as an inspiration and not Brady shows that he gets us

— Steve On Sens 🇨🇦 (@SteveOnSens) September 29, 2026

History was re-written to take a shot at He Who Shall Not Be Named.

Sens name their first captain since 2018 when Erik Karlsson held it.

Congrats Thomas Chabot.

— Nick (@SpenceOnSens) September 29, 2026

Storybook endings were dreamt up.

JUNE 2027: Sens Captain Thomas Chabot lifts the Stanley Cup at Canadian Tire Centre, 100 years after the original Ottawa Senators won it, and promptly hands it to Claude Giroux after whispering a heartfelt French message in his ear.

— Julio (@JulioHashem) September 29, 2026

Fans thought about how far they’d all come.

An oldie but a goodie found its way back into the timeline.

Bad mouthing Thomas Chabot is like bad mouthing your dad for falling asleep during family movie night after he worked 60 hours that week to beef up your college fund

— Frank Senators (@sleepenbaker) October 28, 2022

And the Ottawa Citizen‘s Tony Caldwell captured the day.