DETROIT --Alex Chiasson made a strong impression in his brief time with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2022-23 season.
Originally signed by the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins to a professional tryout, Chiasson recorded 20 points (9-11--20) in 29 games for the Griffins before inking a one-year contract with the Red Wings on March 3.
And in just 20 NHL games this season - his first in Detroit - the 32-year-old forward provided an offensive spark by posting nine points on six goals and three assists.
BUF@DET: Chiasson, Larkin team up to score PPG
"He is a total team player," Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said about Chiasson on March 11. "He does a great job on the power play, has quick shifts, gets his legs moving, (is) chipping in and standing up for guys."
Chiasson arrived in Detroit with the pedigree of a second-round pick (38th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion and a veteran of 631 games with six NHL clubs over 10 seasons. That experience put Chiasson into a mentorship role, which he quickly embraced.
"It's the things I do off the ice, my preparation for the game and hopefully I can bring a couple guys in," Chiasson said on March 13. "I was that way when I was younger. You look up to some of the older guys and what they do as well as how they prepare."
Alex Chiasson skated in his first season as a Griffin and compiled 20 points (9-11—20) in 29 games #GoGRG
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 16, 2023
On the ice, the Red Wings' power play this season perhaps benefited the most from Chiasson's net-front presence. The Montreal native netted five power-play goals for Detroit, tying Jonatan Berggren and Lucas Raymond for the fourth most on the club.
Seven of Chiasson's nine points in 2022-23 came on the man advantage.
"I just take pride in what I do and how I prepare," said Chiasson, who enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. "Somehow, I've found a way every single time because of hard work and being resilient, which I know sounds cliché."