Jalen Chatfield- Hurricanes Newest AHL to NHL Player
Photo Credit: The Canadian Press
Jalen Chatfield has finally made it to the NHL this season and he has made some headway in his 1st season. During this current season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he has played in 64 games. He has posted 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. During that span of 63 games, he also has 33 PIMS. He was recently out from March 9th to 17th, 2023 with an upper-body injury sustained from a game against Montreal Canadiens. He returned back in a bottom-pair role on March 17th against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jalen came on the AHL affiliate at the time for the Canucks during the 2017-2018 season, Utica Comets. During his rookie season, he was on a defensive pair with Patrick Wiercioch and was on the Comet’s Penalty Kill Unit. He gained his first AHL Assist and point during a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack. His first AHL goal came along during a game against the Springfield Thunderbirds, which 4 short seasons later, he would win a Calder Cup against. He was re-assigned to the Utica Comets for the start of the 2018-2019 season, he appeared in 7 games. He notched 1 assist and 6 PIMS. He was recalled to the Canucks in November of 2018 but was sent back shortly thereafter. He suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for nearly 30 games. He returned in January of that season and gained 6 more assists. In December 2020, Jalen was re-signed by the Canucks to a 1-year, 2-way contract. He played in his first NHL game in January of 2021 against the Canadiens. He recorded his first NHL point, which was an assist in April of 2021 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Chatfield became a free agent in 2021, and he was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes. He was assigned to the AHL affiliate, Chicago Wolves. He played in a total of 44 regular season games for the Wolves and tallied 6 goals and 12 assists. This team then went to the postseason, where they played 18 games. Jalen tallied 2 goals and 6 assists. The Chicago Wolves were the 2022 Calder Cup Champions and hoisted the trophy in Springfield, Massachusetts. Chatfield was re-signed to a two-year contract extension through the 2023-2024 season. He made the Hurricanes roster directly out of Camp this season. He scored his first NHL goal in December against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
-Samantha Wismer- American Beauties- An AHL Podcast/ Olde City Sports Network
*Photo Credit: AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker