The Freshmen Factor

Chiasson and Company Impresses in Collegiate Debut
By Chris Aliano

Alex Chiasson (’13) had an answer for his critics, all who claimed the 6-4, 195-pound freshman Quebec and second-round draft choice in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft couldn’t finish in front of the net: this is just the beginning of something great.

Chiasson scored twice in the Terriers’ 3-2 season-opening loss to the University of Massachusetts Friday night. Both times, he stayed calm and collected in front of the net, able to slide the puck past Minuteman goalkeeper Paul Dainton just outside the crease while displaying the patience and control of a veteran.


“Chiasson looked like a force out there as far as getting on pucks,” head coach Jack Parker said after the game. “He was playing hard. He was making the right play without trying to be… ‘Hey, look at me, I’m going to make the big play.’”

He was placed on the third line with fellow freshman and fifth-round draft selection for the Florida Panthers Wade Megan (’13), and the two gained high praise from Parker. Sophomore Corey Trivino (’12) centered the line, and the three turned out what Parker called the best overall effort as a unit for the Terriers.

For Chiasson, the early statement is especially important for the highly touted recruit whose style of play could be compared to former Terrier great and Hobey Baker Finalist Colin Wilson. Like Wilson, Chiasson moves the puck well and is a physical, skilled forward who can make plays develop without the help of anyone else. Coming into college, Chiasson needed work on his discipline in front of the net, according to coaches and scouts. After Friday’s outing, few questions remain on his ability to finish.

But it was not solely Chiasson who stole the show. With the upperclassmen failing to get into any kind of groove and never seeming to get in sync all game long, it was the freshmen who Parker saved the highest praise for after the game.

“I thought our younger guys were our best players,” Parker said. “I thought that our two freshmen defensemen played real well… I thought our fourth line played really hard. I just thought our top line was trying to do to much and trying to be too fancy and didn’t get anywhere near what they should get accomplished for us.”

Aside from Chiasson and Megan on the third line, Parker placed freshmen forwards Ryan Santana (’13) and Justin Courtnall (’13) together on the fourth line. He also paired freshmen defenders Max Nicastro (’13) and Sean Escobedo (’13) together during the second and third periods after they started the game paired with David Warsofsky (’12) and Eric Gryba (’10), respectively.

“I liked the way they were playing better than my upperclassmen,” Parker said. “I paired them together so they wouldn’t get rattled by their upperclassmen partners making a mess.”