Like Jeff Hackett, Tabaracci was also an heir apparent, in this case to Don Beaupre in Washington. Like Hackett, Tabaracci wasn't the man for the job. He was finally passed over by Jim Carey and Don Beaupre and, after seven seasons of skipping around the minors and the NHL, Tabaracci was shipped to the Flames during the 1994-95 season. It looked like a career-ender. Trevor Kidd had a firm grasp on the No. 1 job with the Flames.
But Kidd struggled, and Tabaracci appeared in 43 games, putting up numbers nearly as good as Kidd's. The Flames now have a solid golatending tandem, and Tabaracci has a job. But it'll be a long climb.
In 1993, we ranked him among the top 10. He fell to 47 and has climbed back up 10 spots. Tore knee ligaments during 1993-94 training camp and missed the first seven games of the season. Beaupre regained his job, while Tabaracci hurt his knee again in February.
Tabaracci's greatest assest is his confidence, He has us all fooled. This latest of late-bloomers really does belong in the NHL.