The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a notebook article this evening which discusses comments made by Andrew Copp, David Perron and Ben Chiarot during their initial appearances as members of the Detroit Red Wings, and this note about Chiarot surprised me:
Defenseman Ben Chiarot is returning closer to home. Chiarot grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and currently lives in Kitchener. He also has plenty of relatives in Windsor, just across the bridge. So, this was pretty much returning home.
“It’s good for me with a young family, there’s a number of factors that played into it,” Chiarot said. “I grew up in Hamilton and it was hard not to follow the Wings when they were winning a Stanley Cup every couple of years. There are a lot of Wings fans in my area, and good memories watching them back then.
“Once I knew Detroit was interested, and my agent and Steve were able to work out a deal, that was a pretty easy choice for me. A team that’s on the rise, built by Steve Yzerman, and then a place close to home for my family. It’s a great spot for me.”
Chiarot’s physical style could blend well with NHL rookie of the year Moritz Seider, who could be Chiarot’s defensive partner.
“An impressive young defenseman,” Chiarot said. “He does kind of everything real well. Plays a physical style which you don’t see a ton of anymore with young guys coming in, with an edge. Moritz doesn’t back down out there. He was a fun guy to watch this year and I’m looking forward to getting out there with him.”
