SUMMERSIDE – Chris Chaddock is not regretting his decision to return to the ice for the final half season of his junior career.
The 20-year-old forward recently joined the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
“I love it,” said Chaddock in an interview with the Journal Pioneer following Thursday night’s 5-1 victory over the Valley Wildcats at Eastlink Arena. “I wasn’t playing hockey at the start of the year, but I decided to come back and Summerside has been awesome. They are a great organization, and it’s a lot of fun to play here.”
Chaddock admitted the fact he is familiar with Prince Edward Island after spending close to three seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League factored in his decision to join the Caps.
“P.E.I. is a great place, people are really close,” continued Chaddock. “It made it an easy decision to come here and play.”
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Immediate impact
Chaddock has made an immediate impact with the Caps, recording three goals and two assists for five points in four games.
“He’s a real good two-way player who is strong in the defensive zone and also provides a good amount of offence,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan. “He has great skill and speed, and he has a really high hockey IQ. He understands the game, he understands the positioning of a centreman and he’s good on both sides of the puck. He’s brought a lot to the team.”
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Going forward, McGuigan envisions a big role for Chaddock, who was born in Hampton, N.B., moved to Montreal when he was 13 and his family moved back to Saint John in June.
“I see him bringing some secondary, even primary, scoring for us,” said McGuigan. “He will be a big-time guy on the penalty kill down the stretch and provide some offence for us.
“For our team to have success in the second half, we need guys like Chaddock, (Kallum) Muirhead and Alex Beaulieau to bring some secondary scoring to our hockey club. In the first half of the season we got away with the TJ Shea, (Brodie) MacArthur and (Cameron) Roberts line providing the lion’s share of the offence.”
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