Mailbag #51: Jalen Chatfield

RALEIGH, NC. -With six points in his last seven games, there are few defensemen in the NHL hotter than Jalen Chatfield.
In fact, only Cale Makar and Dougie Hamilton have scored more goals since December 22.
This week the Canes' defender took the time to answer your questions.

(Please Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
Which players did you look up to as you were a kid? - @MPS721
There was a lot, but I would say the guys from Detroit. Nicklas Lidstrom and Steve Yzerman were two greats. They were great leaders and great teammates. They were fun to watch and I tried to take a lot from their games, even though I don't play like either one of them, really. Laughs]
*Were there guys that you'd watch coming up that you've now played against in the league and if so, how has that been?*
Oh yeah. It's pretty cool. Even a situation coming here. You know all their names. I remember watching Jordo in Pittsburgh and Burnzie, I loved watching him play when I was in juniors. I was a huge fan of his.
You get to learn who they are as guys and professionals and it's pretty cool. You see them on TV and think they're some big superstar, which, they may be, but when you get to know their personality, you see that they're a human just like you. I've been loving meeting those guys. Even when I was in Vancouver, guys like Alexander Edler, I would always watch him before, then I got to play with him too.
**What impact has Rod Brind'Amour and Tim Gleason had on your game? - [@ArcherForCanes**
A huge one.
They've somewhat turned my career around. I wouldn't say I was heading in the wrong direction, but the opportunity they gave me [has been huge]. First of all, the organization even signing me, and then giving me the chance to play some games, was big. Right away I got some good ice time. They trusted me and let me play my game. They've taught me a lot here.
I'll continue to learn, but the opportunity is the biggest thing and they've helped me so much.

How would you compare your time in Vancouver to here in Carolina? - @B\_Inacio\_
In life, you live and you learn, right? Vancouver was a huge learning experience for me. I always believed I was ready to be an NHL, and whatever the case may be, that just didn't happen there.
That was two years ago though. I was probably not as good as I was. I want to continue to keep getting better and work on my game. That will always be the biggest thing to me - keep improving and staying confident.
When and how did it click for you that were a legit NHL player? - @HMof2
I can't say that there was an exact moment, but as I said, when I was in Vancouver, I really, really believed I was an NHL player. I played some really good games there. I made some good plays. I played against top guys.
Throughout the summer I train with guys like Jason and Nick Robertson. Jason's become one of the elite players in the game. Nick's been hurt a lot, but he's a really good player too. I compete with those guys every day. To be able to go up against a guy who is scoring 40 or 50 goals in this league per year, that right there means something to me. You always have to believe in yourself too, right?

How do you feel your game has grown over the last year and what areas are you looking to improve in 2023? - @GlepHockey
I think it's grown in the fact that I've learned and embraced my role here. Every night, no matter how many minutes I play - whether it's penalty kill, missing a few shifts, whatever - I just try to come out and keep it simple. I try to play the system right and compete. That's the biggest thing. If I do those things, I'm going to help the team win.
As far as what I can add, if I can continue to get better offensively, I'd love to do that too. I want to just try and become a better all-around player. Whatever it takes, I want to do. I want to be able to go as far as I can go.
What was the feeling of scoring your first NHL goal like? - @iTweetThings67
I can't say I was too stressed about not scoring, but it's almost always in the back of your head, right?
I went a few seasons in my pro career of not getting the bounces and not scoring a lot, and obviously, I had a drought to start this year, but I thought I was playing pretty good hockey.
Then I finally got that first one in Pittsburgh and now it is going in for me and I can't complain about that.
Why #5? - @PoppaTotty
To be honest, it was just given to me in Utica. When I got it, I related it back to Nick Lidstrom.
Then when I came here, they gave me #5 again in Chicago.
Before this year, the Canes asked me if I wanted to change from #64, which is what I wore for the few games up here last year. I thought about Jalen Ramsey, because he wears #5 and I thought it would look pretty good. Plus, I won the Calder Cup in Chicago wearing #5, so I guess it's a good number.
Favorite thing about Raleigh? - @Jacobs4858
I think it's just the people. The weather's good here. I've been loving living here. My girlfriend likes living here a lot too. There are a lot of trails by where I live to take the dogs for a walk in our free time. I think it's just been great.

You're about to become a first-time dad, how does that feel? - @katy\_renee38 / @AmandaRaquel104
It's good, it's exciting. No nerves for me so far, but my girlfriend might be a little nervous.
It's going to be a life-changing experience. He's due to be here in July, right after the season, so I'm going to have a full summer to be a parent and to get him ready for living life.
What's your go-to coffee order? - @KristophrRClark / @OneTrueZach
Venti black iced coffee from Starbucks. That's it.
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
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