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The Montreal Canadiens are heading to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and P.E.I.’s Noah Dobson is back manning their blue line.
The Summerside-born defenceman returned for Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night — his first game since April 11, when he took a puck to his left hand off a slapshot during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Noah’s father, Andrew Dobson, said his family is “still on cloud 9” following the Canadiens’ nail-biting 2-1 win to clinch the first-round series.
“It’s probably one of the most nerve-racking games we have witnessed Noah play — pretty excited, happy for him, obviously happy for the Montreal Canadiens and the organization,” Andrew said.
“It was a blood, sweat, tears type of series … and glad that we came out on top.”
Andrew Dobson, the father of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson, says he was nervous watching his son play in a crucial Game 7 on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Zoom)
Andrew also praised the Bell Centre — the Habs’ home arena — as “one of the best places to watch a hockey game.”
“The fans are so passionate, they love their Habs,” he said. “We’re … happy and proud of Noah and where he’s been, coming from Prince Edward Island and playing for the Montreal Canadiens.”
He admitted to being nervous watching Monday’s game — “I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, I would say probably 11” — but he’s seen his son play in do-or-die situations before.
That includes Noah’s two national championship wins in 2018 and 2019 while playing with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Acadie–Bathurst Titan and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, respectively.
“It’s like any parent, you just want your kid to do the best and hope for the best,” Andrew said. “And I think last night he played a great game and got the [win].”
Rodney MacArthur, one of Noah’s former coaches, described him as a good family friend. He knew Noah from a young age, and coached him in the bantam ranks until about 2013.
A Canadiens fan, MacArthur said he was nervous for Noah and his family.
“For Noah to step in and play as well as he did was really something,” MacArthur said.
“He has that poise and you just see it. He wasn’t in a rush.… He regrouped the puck many times back in his own end, just like he always does. It helped him step into a situation like that and do great. I thought he had a great game.”
Noah Dobson’s former coach Rodney MacArthur says there was a feeling Noah would be able to go pro. (Krystalle Ramlahkan/CBC)
The fact that Noah is a special hockey player became clear when he was young, MacArthur said, adding he possesses a lot of positive qualities to succeed, including size and competitive drive.
In minor hockey, Noah would often find himself playing with older players and would still have control of the ice.
“You knew he was a great player,” he said. “Our feeling was he was going to be a pro hockey player for sure.”
Andrew said he and Noah text after every game, win or lose. Monday night, those messages included congratulations and praise.
“You’re just here to support as a parent,” Andrew said.
“I mean, whatever happens on the ice, happens on the ice, but at the end of the day, he’s obviously your child, so you just want to be there for him … but he was all smiles last night.”
WATCH | The Bell Centre was rocking after Habs secured Game 7 win:
The Bell Centre was rocking after Habs secured Game 7 win
CBC’s Kwabena Oduro was at the Bell Centre watch party on Sunday, with thousands of fans cheering after the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road in Game 7.
MacArthur said Noah’s success hasn’t gone to his head, noting he often comes home to P.E.I. in the off-season.
“He’s a millionaire hockey player and a star defenceman in the NHL and with a storied team like Montreal,” MacArthur said.
“He hasn’t changed. He comes home and he golfs with his buddies. He’s good to people that call him and reach out…. He’s always giving back. And that’s what makes us cheer for him.”
Andrew agreed that Noah hasn’t forgotten his roots, describing his son as “very proud of where he comes from.”
“I know they say it’ll take a village to raise a child, but it definitely takes a village to raise a hockey player, too, to make it to that level,” he said.
“There’s a lot of people that contribute across P.E.I. and across Canada.”
Noah and the Montreal Canadiens return to the ice Wednesday to start the second round against the Buffalo Sabres. Game time is 8 p.m. AT.
