Chiasson Hip to Chance With Red Wings

The last time Alex Chiasson was playing in an NHL game, it was for the Detroit Red Wings. For a time there last season, he was wondering whether that would also be the last NHL game he’d ever play.

“I did hip surgery in January,” Chiasson explained. “So if we go back maybe a year from today, I wasn’t sure where my career was at. I thought maybe that was it for me.”

The surgery was done as much for Chiasson’s peace of mind as it was with any notion of getting him back on the ice.

“Hockey was hard physically, but just life in general,” Chiasson said. “Life at home wasn’t much fun.”

Assuring he’d be healthy enough to play with his kids and do other vital aspects of life beyond hockey was his motivation to go under the knife. The, once the surgery was done and he was on the road to recovery, that was when notions of being back on the ice began to dance in Chiasson’s head.

🔴 Signed to an NHL contract on March 3
⚪️ Four points in five games so far

Alex Chiasson is still living the dream with the @DetroitRedWings. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/O0JLPqUW7v

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2023

He’s going for it the hard way. Chiasson is attending Red Wings camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). About 20% of PTO attendees earn a contract, so the odds are stacked against Chiasson. Yet he feels like the luckiest guy in camp.

“Pretty grateful for the opportunity to be here,” Chiasson said. “I’ve obviously worked really hard to come back.

“It’s not easy at 33 to put in the work and all that, but you can only do this for so long, and hopefully I can show what I can do and what I’m capable of still doing and help the organization in any way I can.”

Chiasson Picked Brain Of Red Wings Kane

Since arriving in camp, Chiasson and Red Wings forward Patrick Kane have been comparing notes regarding their respective hip surgeries.

“I think his was slightly different, but talked to him a couple weeks ago and sure sounds like he was dealing with some of the same stuff,” Chiasson said. “So it’s been nice, kind of just picking his brain for a couple things.

“Obviously, he’s been through the rehab and dealt with some of the things that have come with that.”

Alex Chiasson scores on the power play for the 3rd CONSECUTIVE GAME. 🚨 Unreal. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/gDDRTJNrWp

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) March 15, 2023

In 20 games with the Red Wings late in the 2022-23 season, Chiasson was good for six goals. It’s that common knowledge of each other that led to his decision to give it another go in Detroit.

“Obviously really appreciated my time here in Detroit and in Grand Rapids,” Chiasson said. “I’ve gotten to know a little bit some people in the organization, and I thought this would have been a good fit, and I’m glad it worked out.

“Hopefully we can push needle here and extend it a little bit longer.”