Chiarot finds happy home in Habs’ top pairing partnered with Weber

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This article was published 23/12/2019 (2132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ben Chiarot wasn’t an instant hit with his Montreal Canadiens coach or fans of the bleu, blanc et rouge at the start of the 2019-20 NHL season.

In a sense, that’s always been his way.

Chiarot was the antithesis of an overnight sensation in his employment in Winnipeg, yet, after years as a fringe NHLer, developed into a highly dependable top-four defenceman alongside partner Dustin Byfuglien.

Now, he’s three months in with a new team, and the Canadiens are reaping the benefits of those formative years with the Jets.

“He’s having a lot of fun these days, enjoying coming to the rink and playing,” Montreal head coach Claude Julien said Monday prior to the Jets-Habs matchup at Bell MTS Place.

“For most of the people that saw him, his first month was a bit of an adjustment to our team, and since then he’s taken off and probably playing his best hockey I’ve seen him play.”

Chiarot bid au revoir to the Jets on July 4, signing a three-year, US$10.5 million contract with Habs, with an average annual value of $3.5 million.

“(He’s) very confident in all areas from our own end to even offensively and, obviously, he’s enjoying playing a lot with Shea Weber. I think they’ve been a good match and they seem to enjoy playing together,” added Julien

Chiarot began the year partnered with Jeff Petry but has found his groove alongside Weber on the team’s top pairing for the last six weeks, logging big minutes (averaging more than 23 a night) and playing all situations. He eclipsed the 30-minute mark Dec. 3 in a 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders and has pushed past 28:50 three other times this month.

Through 36 contests prior to Monday, he’d scored four times — including an overtime winner almost two weeks ago — and supplied eight assists.

He’s been given a bigger role under Julien than when he suited up for the Jets.

“The team’s given me a lot of responsibility, have a lot of confidence in me. I’ve had great (defensive) partners all year. Playing with Shea Weber makes things pretty easy. Having (goalie) Carey Price back behind you is pretty comforting,” said Chiarot. “So, I think just getting comfortable with my new surroundings, and the team appreciates what I do and the game that I bring.”

Drafted in the fourth round in 2009 by the franchise when it still resided in Atlanta, Chiarot played just 41 NHL games during the first four years of his pro career, spending the bulk of his time in the American Hockey League and even a stint in the ECHL.

It was during the 2014-15 season when the Jets — facing a seriously injury-depleted blue line — turned to Chiarot on an emergency basis. He showed some toughness and a diligence in his own end, although some warts were evident.

But he showed enough to stick around. And the 6-3, 225-pound Hamiltonian, who often voiced his love for playing in a Canadian market, played the next four full seasons in a Jets jersey, including the 2018-19 season with Big Buff.

“Kind of climbing the ladder it is something that when my career’s done is something I’ll be most proud of. Where I started, the time and effort I put in to getting here and accomplishing my dream of being a Jet and playing in the NHL, it was a lot of years of hard work and something I’m proud of,” he said.

That second tandem in Winnipeg worked because Chiarot protected the home front, freeing up Byfuglien to roam.

“He is the true progression story for an NHL defenceman. He came in, was in and out of the lineup at the start, and then got to a point where he had earned his right to not be considered ever coming out. Then he moved up and found a really good chemistry with Dustin Byfuglien and played a really important role for us,” recalled Jets coach Paul Maurice.

Indeed, much of the same is happening with the Canadiens. Chiarot’s tidy defensive play has afforded Weber, 6-4, 230 pounds, the opportunity to flex some major offensive muscle — he’s already scored 11 goals and registered 29 points this year.

“It’s just a good match. They’re both big, they’re both strong. I don’t think there’s a lot of lines that enjoy playing against those two big guys. They find each other very well. They support each other well,” said Julien.

Chiarot said it’s been a thrill playing for the NHL’s most storied franchise.

“My favourite thing about being a Montreal Canadien is throwing on that jersey. It’s the same uniform they’ve been wearing for 100 years, it’s pretty unique and iconic in hockey, and I feel lucky I get to wear it every day,” he said.

A return to the Manitoba capital is one of the highlights of the season, he said.

“I’ve known about this game for a long time now. It’s an exciting game for me, excited to give it to some of my old friends, and excited to be back in the rink and in this city. A lot of formative years of my life and good times and a lot of good memories, so excited to be back,” said Chiarot, who had Sunday supper at Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey’s place.

Morrissey, who met Chiarot in 2014 in St. John’s, N.L., home of the AHL’s IceCaps, said the two have forged a terrific bond since then, and it was tough to see his friend leave town.

“He’s somebody I really looked up to as a young guy coming in, and he really helped me out a lot making the transition to pro hockey and the NHL,” said Morrissey. “Whenever I needed something, he was there to help me out and make you feel comfortable.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell