Chiarot takes tips from Duck

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This article was published 09/10/2015 (3648 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEWARK, N.J. — It’s an association that dates back a few years but has been an important part of Ben Chiarot’s growth as an NHL defenceman.

The 24-year-old Winnipeg Jet began skating in the summer with longtime NHLer and former Manitoba Moose Kevin Bieksa, now with the Anaheim Ducks. If you see some similarities in their games, it’s not by accident.

“I’ve skated with him for a few years, and he’s been somewhat of a mentor for me since I was a teenager,” said Chiarot. “He’s the first NHL player I’ve ever really come in contact with back home. He’s been big part of what I do in the summers and my mentality going into seasons. He’s been really important for me.

“I got talking to him, and Zinger (Jets assistant GM Craig Heisinger) knows him pretty well from his time with the Moose. Zinger asked him to help me out a few years ago when I was a youngster breaking into pro hockey.”

Chiarot’s growth has been particularly significant since the start of last season. He’s playing with more confidence and adding some offensive touch to his sound defensive base. And part of that comes from playing the sponge whenever he has been around Bieksa.

“Since I was young, since I was 16 to 17 I’ve watched him and tried to emulate some of the things he does, his aggressiveness,” said Chiarot. “He plays the game hard, and that’s something you’ve got to respect.

“It’s his mentality. He always does things hard and just wants to be the best. One of the things he said to me this summer is, he’s 34 years old, but he believes his best years are ahead of him still. Youv’e got to respect that. He’s had a long and successful career in the NHL, and he’s still looking ahead at what good could come.”

MEA CULPA: Alex Burmistrov avoided being called on the carpet by the NHL’s department of player safety for his first-period head shot on Bruins star Patrice Bergeron Thursday in Boston. Burmistrov was apparently given a warning by the league, but will not face a fine or suspension.

“That was my bad, that’s for sure,” a contrite Burmistrov said prior to Friday’s game. “I’m really not that kind of player, being dirty like that. I hit him in the head, and it’s a good thing nothing happened with him. I was going to hit him in the shoulder, and it looked like he tried to (turn) away and that’s what happened. Sorry.”

REPLACING BRYCE: The Devils named veteran defenceman Andy Greene their new captain Friday. He replaces Manitoba product Bryce Salvador in wearing the ‘C’ and is the 11th captain in franchise history.

“I played with Greener now for 10 years, and I’ve had the privilege of kind of growing with him through the system and getting to know him and have seen him become a leader,” Winnipeg product Travis Zajac, named an alternate captain, told reporters after the Devils’ game-day skate. “He’s underrated in what he does for us both on and off the ice, the type of player he is, and it’s well-deserved.”

STARTING OVER: The Devils’ roster has a real makeshift feel to it as new GM Ray Shero attempts to make over a team that was more than grey around the edges. It’s something Devils co-owner Josh Harris talked about Friday with Rich Chere of the Newark Ledger.

“The reality is the team Ray (Shero) inherited was an aging team,” Harris said. “We want to make progress… It starts with bringing in the right coaching talent, player development and the right scouts. It’s very hard to put a time frame on, but we’re in a hurry. I’m not a patient person. I’ve never been a patient person. I hate to lose. When we lose, I don’t have a good time.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait