By / Sam Laskaris
There’s no denying Toronto Jr. Canadiens’ forward Paul Chiasson is a pretty talented hockey player.
But his coach Dan Cameron has a rather tough time trying to convince the teen just how good he believes he is.
“He’s got a pro shot, no doubt,” Cameron said of Chiasson, who racked up 62 points (34G, 28A) in 52 Ontario Junior Hockey League contests this season. “I keep saying to him he would go a lot further in the game if he would believe in himself more. I think he can play in the NHL. When I say that to him, he just smiles.”
Chiasson, 19, said he would obviously welcome the opportunity to play in the NHL. But he realizes the chances of that happening for him are remote, in part because he has wasn’t chosen in the NHL Draft this past year. And Chiasson was never drafted by an Ontario Hockey League club either.
But Chiasson is moving up to a higher level next season. He’ll be in the NCAA ranks toiling for the Pennsylvania-based Mercyhurst Lakers.
“He’s definitely going to be an impact at Mercyhurst,” Cameron said.
Chiasson is keen to make an impression at the collegiate level. For the past few seasons, he’s gotten by on natural talent as he said he has not worked out for about four years.
“I find hockey is more of a mental game than a physical game,” he said, adding he’s been relatively successful in his Junior career as he knows where to be on the ice.
Chiasson’s thinking towards his fitness, however, will soon change as he gets ready for his Mercyhurst career.
“This summer will probably be the worst summer of my life because I’ll have to train every day,” he said.
Chiasson, who is 5-9, currently weighs about 205 pounds. Cameron believes he would be a considerably more effective player and have better conditioning if he were to shed 10 to 15 pounds.
And that’s what Chiasson plans to do during the off-season.
While at Mercyhurst, Chiasson will be taking business classes.
“I’m more about getting the education and starting my own business,” he said.
But he would still be interested in giving pro hockey a shot. At this point, he believes a career in the minor leagues is something he could potentially achieve.
“I have other dreams,” he said. “To me ,the NHL is too much of a faraway thing. The chance of the NHL coming for me is slim.”
But that could change if Chiasson turns out to be a late bloomer. And if he continues to put up some numbers at the college level, Chiasson will undoubtedly catch the attention of some officials in the pro ranks.
“When he gets around the net, this kid can score,” Cameron said. “He’s a threat on the ice every time he’s in the offensive zone.” |