Chatfield aims for pro contract
Jalen Chatfield’s road to pro hockey won’t be as easy as the path teammate Logan Brown is on.
Both players returned from NHL camps this week to suit up for the first time this season with the Windsor Spitfires Thursday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
The 18-year-old Brown, a firstround pick of the Ottawa Senators in June, already has signed his entry-level contract while the 20-year-old Chatfield continues the chase.
“I definitely want to get a contract,” Chatfield said. “I’ve got one more year, we’ve got the Mem Cup and things are definitely put in place.
“If we just work hard and I do what I have to do, there should be a contract.”
Signed by the Spitfires as a free agent in 2014, Chatfield attended camp with the Detroit Red Wings last year, prospects camp in the summer with the Buffalo Sabres and rookie camp with the San Jose Sharks this month that turned into an invite to main camp.
“Honestly, I didn’t know how long I was going to stay going in,” he said.
“When I first got there, I was just there for rookie camp and rookie tournament. So, I was impressed that they kept me for a couple days of main camp.
“I think I stayed there a decent amount of time.”
Now, Chatfield wants to continue to build his resume in an overage season he hopes will get him that pro deal.
“I’m happy to be back and I’d rather be back sooner than later,” Chatfield said.
“It’s my last shot and I want to win a championship.
“I’m not too worried about getting points or skating the puck out. Just make good passes and play good defence. If that happens, rewards always come if you’re playing solid.
“I’m not going to try and step out of my game. I just want to play like a pro and help the team out.”
FULL LINEUP
Thursday marked the first time in three games this season the Spitfires and Greyhounds were able to ice a full 20-man roster.
Windsor got its boost with Chatfield and Brown returning from NHL camps while the Greyhounds got back Joseph Raaymakers from camp with the New York Rangers, along with Tim Gettinger, while Boris Katchouk was returned by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Gustav Bouramman by the Minnesota Wild.
MASSE APPEAL
Olympic bronze medallist Kylie Masse was on hand Thursday to drop the ceremonial first puck.
The 20-year-old Masse, who is from LaSalle, took the bronze medal in the women’s 100-metre backstroke at the Olympic Games last month in Rio de Janeiro in a Canadian record time of 58.76 after being ranked 201st in the world in the event just two years ago.