Jake Chiasson Named to Leadership Group In Brandon

Jake Chiasson was among the players named to the Brandon Wheat Kings leadership group for their 2022/23 season. Chiasson will be an assistant captain for the Western Hockey League franchise, with Nolan Ritchie and Nate Danielson (both 2023 NHL Draft eligible) named as co-captains while Edmontonian, Brett Hyland, was named the other assistant captain.

The Edmonton Oilers selected Chiasson in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft 116th overall (4th round). The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native is heading into his fourth season with the Wheat Kings, however, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and undergoing surgery last season, he has fewer games played than expected or hoped.

During his time in Brandon, Chiasson has played in 104 games while amassing 20 goals and 53 points. In his last two seasons, he produced at close to a point-per-game rate with 20 points in 23 games during the 2021 season and 18 points in 20 games last season after recovering from surgery.

In his post-draft interview, Chiasson described himself as a two-way forward with offensive upside and the team is still hopeful that this is true. He’s a playmaking forward who enjoys the play with shooters because of his good hockey sense and passing ability. He also said he’d like to continue to grow into a power forward, improving his skating and physical game.

The hope for the upcoming season for Chiasson is that it is healthy and that he can see him achieve those improvements he suggested in the summer of 2021.

Chiasson’s season with the Brandon Wheat Kings begins this weekend on home ice against their provincial rivals, the Winnipeg Ice.