Alex Chiasson will not be probably the most coveted participant within the National Hockey League, however he tends to develop on groups when given the prospect.
Chiasson, 32, just lately signed an expert tryout contract with the Bruins, making it the fifth time within the final seven years the previous Boston University Terrier entered an NHL coaching camp and not using a contract. But within the earlier 4 instances he began a camp on a PTO, he has wound up being on an NHL roster by the tip of the season.
It’s not a simple option to make a residing. Chiasson has one other option to describe the PTO course of.
“It sucks,” mentioned the 6-foot-4, 208 pound proper wing with a wry smile. “It’s tough… But I have a good support system at home. My wife’s been great. But it doesn’t get any easier. I think as I’ve gotten older, I realize that it’s a privilege to play in the NHL. You can’t take this for granted. I know one day when I’m done playing, whenever that is, that I’ve really put it all out there. I have no regrets. I could have taken the easy way out. Whatever opportunity comes my way, I always fought for what I believed in and that was to play in the NHL. I’ve played (651) games, I’ve won a Cup, I’ve played with some of the best to have ever played the game. This game has given me so much. I’m going to try to keep it going, try to squeeze a little bit more out of it. I’m excited for this opportunity in camp.”
Drafted by the Dallas Stars thirty eighth general in 2009, Chiasson spent two years with the Stars, two with the Ottawa Senators after which a season in Calgary.
Then his PTO odyssey started in 2017. That season, Chiasson earned a one-year contract with Washington for the 2017-18 and gained a Stanley Cup with the Capitals. Washington didn’t re-sign him, so he went to Edmonton on a PTO and finally bought signed there. He had the most effective season of his profession in his first Edmonton season, scoring 22 targets, adequate to earn him a two-year extension.
When that deal was completed, he earned a contract off a PTO with the Vancouver Canucks for the 2021-22 season. Last season, he needed to take a extra circuitous route again to the NHL. He signed a PTO with the Arizona Coyotes however didn’t earn a deal. After a few months, he signed an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings’ minor league affiliate. But by season’s finish, he was on the varsity, getting 20 video games with the Wings, which piqued the curiosity the B’s sufficient for them to offer him a PTO and add him to their sprawling backside six competitors.
He mentioned Shawn Horcoff, a former teammate in Dallas, was the GM in Grand Rapids and satisfied him to take the minor league deal.
“I told him my goal was to get back to the NHL. He explained to me that I had to get playing,” mentioned the Quebec native. “Detroit took really good care of me. I played in the American league for 25 games, I put my pride away, earned my keep and, at the deadline, they called me up. I thought mentally I was like ‘Is this my last chance to play?’ I want to soak this in. Just with the DNA of who I am as a person, I think I realized, ‘Hey, let’s try to make this work.’ A couple of injuries later, I was playing on the first power play. I thought that potentially changed the outcome in the summer, but at the summer time I think it proved that to me I can still play. I’ve proven that over and over again with different teams. Like I said, I’m willing to bet on myself and see how camp goes.”
With the dearth of liquidity within the market, it was a tricky summer season for lots of free brokers, with many signing for lots lower than they anticipated to. Chiasson had some two-way presents however determined to go the PTO route.
“It’s frustrating, but at the same time… for me, I take pride in what I do and how I do it,” mentioned Chiasson. “But then when you get rewarded and you go and play well, I think it makes it all worth it. One day when it’s done, I can say I gave it all I’ve got. I could have gone overseas. I could have gone anywhere. But I kept building on my career, kept adding games. Over the last three, four, five years, I’ve created a role for myself and I hope it works out here.”
And if it does work out with the Bruins, it will deliver a sure symmetry to his profession after spending three seasons on Comm Ave. It would additionally makes issues extra handy for him.
“Throughout my career there’s been a bunch of rumors of me getting traded here and whatnot, but we’ve actually moved back to Boston. We’ve been here all summer. I’d say that’s a big benefit. I’m not flying anywhere now or living in a hotel. We’re home. That helps,” mentioned Chiasson. “But it’s kind of like full circle. I got drafted in ’09, played three years at BU. Obviously the school means a lot to me. I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older how much it’s helped me throughout my career. I was around when the Bruins won back then (in 2011). I know what sports mean to this city. Boston is probably comparable to a Canadian market with the media and the quality of the sports teams that this city has. It’s a special place to play. I’ve always enjoyed playing at the Garden. It’s one of top places to play.”
Now he simply has to make room for himself on the roster. History exhibits it will be unwise to guess in opposition to Chiasson doing simply that.
Source: www.bostonherald.com