Washington Capitals legend Alex Chiasson spent just one season with the franchise in 2017-18 but he made the most of that opportunity, earning the title of Stanley Cup champion.
After spending the next five seasons with three different teams, he decided to retire from playing hockey in January and pursue a new goal: coaching. The 34-year-old was one of multiple Caps alumni guest coaching at the team’s development camp which wrapped on Saturday.
“It’s special, obviously, just from my time here as a player, from all that we went through that year, obviously winning at the end of the year,” Chiasson told reporters on Thursday. “I haven’t been back since.”
He added, “This place means a lot to me. Learned a lot here, made some great friendships, and, you know, what a great organization. So, this week has been great, trying to be a sponge and learn as much as I can. I’m on the other side now, so, you know, a lot of these things are new for me, but just a great week so far. Having access to all the staff here, asking questions, learning, it’s been really fun.”
Chiasson received the opportunity shortly after graduating from Boston University in May. Taking online courses as he got older, he completed his degree 15 years after first attending the university. While he has the flexibility to go into different fields, Chiasson’s goal now is to stay as close to the ice as possible but in a different capacity.
“I helped out a little bit this year at [my kid’s] school as a volunteer, and I really found a passion for the teaching and just the game,” he explained. “I think as a, you know, unfortunately as a player, it all comes to an end eventually, but I still have a lot of passion for the game. I think I’ve lived a lot of experiences in my life as a player, and I think I have a lot to give back to the game as well.”
Chiasson said he wanted to impart some wisdom on the youngsters participating at the camp, knowing what he knows now about this particular chapter in his own career.
“I think I see myself a lot, you know, a lot when I was that age and coming in and wanting to impress and having fun and trying to learn,” he continued. “So I think it’s been a great week that way. I think a lot of the players, some of the kids have asked questions. And what’s great, you know, I’ve played for a lot of organizations. I got traded. I’ve been through a lot of my career, and I think it just helps me with this role, you know. We’ll see where it takes me.”
He revealed 2024 second-round draft pick Cole Hutson, a fellow BU Terrier, has been one of his favorites to watch and mentor while at the camp.
“A lot of these guys have, you know, have stood out to me. I’ll be biased. He’s a BU guy, so Cole Hutson, and I’m a big fan,” he said. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Chiasson was asked about Hutson’s answer on Tuesday about majoring in “hockey” while in college.
“Actually, Cole should be going to school as well,” he joked. “No, he is. I would say he just loves hockey, loves the game… But I can assure you that he still goes to school. That’s for sure.”
Other high-profile prospects caught Chiasson’s eye throughout the week, including 2025 first-round selection Lynden Lakovic and 2023 second-round pick Andrew Cristall. He found it “fun” to observe them without knowing any of their backgrounds ahead of time.
Though, after being away from the club for almost eight years, Chiasson found comfort in reuniting with some more familiar faces in his return to MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
“A lot of the people that were here behind the scenes are still here. So it makes it easy to just walk through” he said. “You know, it feels a lot like it was back then. And then obviously, like, Brooks [Orpik] and being around and seeing Holts as well.”
He hit an emotional chord reminiscing about his “great memories” with the organization, reflecting on the difficult nature of moving on from a team.
“It’s hard,” he explained. “It’s a tough part of the game when you play and guys move on in [a different] direction. It’s hard to keep in touch with everyone. So this week has been great. Just kind of sit down, you know, like, ‘How’s life? Where are the kids now? And how has everything changed in the last seven years?'”
Chiasson described how fast the summer of 2018 went after winning the Stanley Cup, going from a championship bender at Nationals Park with captain Alex Ovechkin and Co. to starting a new season with a new team.
“We had a good time, rightfully so. And then the summer started, everyone went kind of like their separate way. And I went, I signed with Edmonton. So, I didn’t get a chance to come back and kind of like catch up with everyone,” he explained. “It was kind of like on the go… that’s how hockey works… you look back, you’re like, ‘Wow.’ I guess I wish I soaked it in a little bit more. It was quite a great time.”
