Steve Chiasson
Steve Chiasson ( born April 14, 1967 in Barrie, Ontario; † 3 May 1999 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States ) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who in his playing days from 1981 to 1999 among others for the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes played in the National Hockey League.
Career
Chiasson played during his junior time in the Ontario Hockey League for you Guelph Platers together with Kirk Muller. After the Detroit Red Wings had secured NHL Entry Draft in 1985 in the third round to 50th point, the rights to his person, he still played a successful year in Guelph. Meanwhile, Gary Roberts had joined the team with which they could win as the best Canadian junior team to the Memorial Cup. Chiasson was voted the best player of the finals.
After two years in which he also commuted as a reserve player between farm team and the National Hockey League, he succeeded in the 1988/89 season finally establish himself with the Red Wings. The following year he reached 14 goals a record for his career, which he could not excel in his successful 1992/93 season in which he posted 50 templates and 62 points. The urgent need for a strong goalkeeper made it necessary for the Red Wings to agree to a swap deal with the Calgary Flames, Mike Vernon brought to Detroit and Chiasson sent to Canada.
After two and a half years in Calgary, he moved to the Hartford Whalers, which missed the playoffs in the season 1996/97. He was able to represent his country at the World Ice Hockey Championship in 1997 and winning with the Canadian national team for the title. At the following 1997/98 season the team moved to the south and played from now on as Carolina Hurricanes. Chiasson was a pillar in defense of the canes.
Directly after leaving the playoffs in 1999 against the Boston Bruins, the team celebrated the end of season party at teammate Gary Roberts. Chiasson left the festival drunk and was on his way home in a car accident. Since then, no player of the Hurricanes wore more the jersey with the number 3, even if the number was not officially closed. In addition, the Steve Chiasson Award Huricanes give the team internally, which the player with the greatest determination and dedication during the season.