More Than Just a Game: Noah Dobson’s NHL Debut and His Impact on the QMJHL

 Noah Dobson has been waiting for this moment his entire life. 

The pride of Summerside, PEI is on the cusp of making his National Hockey League debut with the New York Islanders.

The dream is finally coming true. 

From the Maritimes to Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec thousands of fans, friends and the media alike will have a vested interest in watching the gifted defencemen skate under the bright lights of the NHL tonight. 

You see Noah Dobson’s impact during his time in the QMJHL transcends the game. It’s always been more than just the game for Noah Dobson. 

The quiet highly skilled defencemen was as gifted off the ice as he was on it. The towering youngster always took the time to connect with the fans and the media alike.

That’s what made Noah Dobson’s time in the QMJHL so special, so unique. 

From walking across the stage at the Q draft to the final moments of pure elation after hoisting his second consecutive Memorial Cup, Noah Dobson like very few before him understood the value and significance of giving back to the game during his time in the QMJHL, Canadian Hockey League and connecting with all those involved in the game. 

The mild mannered unassuming defencemen always took the time to sign the autograph, do all the interviews or pose for pictures with fans.

Noah Dobson just got it, he knew it was more than just a game. 

The proud Islander embraced all the attention, all the potential distractions that had confronted him since his arrival to the Q realizing that it was just part of the process, part of the journey. 

You see Noah Dobson understood that everyone had a job and had a role to play covering his amazing journey. 

Noah Dobson’s NHL debut will undoubtedly pull at the heartstrings of many across the QMJHL and Maritimes for a number of reasons, the quality of the player, but more importantly the quality of the person. 

The New York Islanders struck gold selecting Dobson with the 12^thoverall selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, but they struck gold selecting the person. 

Character, compete and an unwavering love for the game and everything it entails, that’s Noah Dobson. 

Dobson has been scratched for the Isles first two games of the 2019-2020 campaign. 

Unfortunately Dobson sustained an injury late in the preseason, which derailed the 19-year-old’s NHL dream, but that dream is about to come true as Dobson is set to make his debut versus the Edmonton Oilers. 

Noah Dobson has been waiting for this moment his entire life, and so have we.