Chiasson 'Willing To Bet On' Himself Once Again With Bruins Camp Tryout

The 32-year-old has beaten the odds many times by winning NHL jobs at training camp

BRIGHTON, MA – Alex Chiasson has made an entire hockey career out of betting on himself.

Sure, he was a highly touted second round pick by the Dallas Stars that had three strong seasons at Boston University, and he’s been blessed with a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame that allows him to naturally carve out space on the ice.

But the 32-year-old Chiasson, in Boston on a professional tryout with the Bruins for NHL camp, has also had to sing for his supper quite a bit in his pro hockey career. This fall in Boston will be the fifth PTO of his NHL career where he’s literally had to earn an NHL contract in training camp, a process that he’s become accustomed to when it comes to extending a hockey career that’s already seen him post 122 goals and 233 points in 651 career games played with Dallas, Ottawa, Calgary, Washington, Edmonton, Vancouver and the Detroit Red Wings last season.

“It sucks,” admitted Chiasson when asked about his situation. “It’s tough. It’s tough. Even though I won a (Stanley) Cup in 2018, and I had to go to Edmonton on a PTO. I left with my backpack and a suitcase, and you just don’t really know where you’re going to end up. I ended up having my best year of my career that year, I had 22 goals.

“I think I have a good support system at home. My wife’s been great. It doesn’t get any easier. I think as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that and I’ve always said this: It’s a privilege to play in the NHL. You can’t take this for granted, and I know one day when I stop playing, whenever that is, that I really put it all out there. I could have taken the easy way out, but whatever opportunity that came my way, I fought for what I believe in, and that’s to play in the NHL.”