Fresh Meat: Part 5 of 7

Alex Chiasson -- Forward

This is the fifth installment of a seven part series introducing you to the newest members of the Boston University Terriers Men's Ice Hockey team. Here we will be looking at the resumes of the new recruits Jack Parker and Co. have brought in to try to fill the shoes of the dearly departed group of 8 players from the 08-09 championship squad.

Let's present a scenario.

You just led your junior league team in points by scoring 17 goals and assisting on 33 more in just 56 games.  You were just selected 38th overall in the NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars after a rigorous scouting session.  And you are just about to hit your 19th birthday.  What could keep you from cashing in and going to play at the highest level in the NHL?

How about a chance to play for the defending National Champion NCAA Hockey Team?

Well, lucky for BU fans, that's the route that Alex Chiasson has opted to take.

The first thing that's obvious about Alex Chiasson is that he is an absolute physical presence on the ice.  He stands at 6'4" before he laces up the skates, and weighs in at 195 pounds.

But Chiasson's size does not take away from his agility, speed and ability to make plays.  In fact, it is a tremendous advantage to him.  He is beyond a skilled skater, a very rare talent who seems to have an innate ability, a constant knowledge where the puck is at all times.

Here is what Chiasson had to say after being selected by the Stars:

The future Dallas Star spent last season playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, where he played well enough to be selected for the league's all-star game.  He put up 50 points in 56 games for Des Moines.  Yet even after succeeding at a high level, Chiasson chose to attend BU as opposed to playing further in the junior ranks.  Chiasson explained his decision:

"When a kid from Quebec chooses college over junior hockey, ya know.....it's cool. I'm an A student and I think school is important for yourself and it teaches you more than hockey and it gets you ready.  So it's a balance in life and I just thought it was the best decision for me. I just felt it was the best pick for me. They just won the national championship and the way they play the game is close to how I play. It was just the best fit, it's close to home, it's amazing."

Dallas Stars -- Alex Chiasson is Ready for the Challenge

Chiasson came here to be an impact player, and to do so immediately.  It's been well documented that the Terriers said good-bye to a tremendous number of goals in the off-season.  The coaching staff recruited Chiasson to step in and make a difference immediately.  Chiasson also recognizes the role he could play on this team.

"BU is a hard offensive team and that's the way I see myself," Chiasson said. "I define myself as a power forward. I like hitting, going hard to the net and I love scoring goals. That's what coach Parker wants me to come and do, and make an impact as a freshman."

NHL.com -- Confident Chiasson Choosing the College Route 

Chiasson will be an impact player in the NHL, and this next stop at BU is an important point in his development toward that ultimate goal.  Getting prepared to play at the next level is yet another reason why playing at BU seemed to be the right decision for Chiasson.

"Coach Parker's job is to the guys ready for the next level.  Anytime there's a guy leaving he's said he did what he had to do and he's kinda happy for me no matter what happens."

Dallas Stars -- Alex Chiasson is Ready for the Challenge

Terriers' fans should be very excited at the prospect of having a young talent of this caliber play for their team.  He should almost immediately step on to one of the top two lines and score plenty of goals.  He should also draw plenty of extra attention and free up space for his line-mates, creating scoring chances all over the ice.

Coach Parker seems to be more excited about Chiasson than any other incoming freshman.  As he told GoTerriers.com,

“Very talented right-shot forward. Probably the top prospect in our freshman class. His size, strength, puck handling and hockey vision will allow him to be an impact player for us up front like Nicastro will be on defense, probably a little more so because he’ll get a chance to play more on the power play.”

One thing Chiasson plans to work on at BU is to increase his size.  To play a strong, physical game like the one he wants to play, he will need to put on some weight.  Once he does that, he will truly be a force to be reckoned with.


Although if this is any indication, he's plenty tough already...



Chiasson should have no trouble recognizing his goals and becoming an elite player for the Terriers.  If he performs at the level he is capable of,  it should be a little bit easier for BU fans to ask, "Colin Who?"




Articles About Chiasson:
Dallas Stars -- Alex Chiasson is Ready for the Challenge
ESPN -- Elite Athletes Transition to College
OSC -- Buccaneer Alex Chiasson Chosen For USHL All-Star Game
NHL.com -- Confident Chiasson Choosing the College Route
Dallas Stars -- Stars Select Four on Day Two of Draft