Spitfires Add Free Agent D Chatfield
June 23, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release
Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel has dipped into the free agent pool, adding another piece to the 2014-15 edition of the Spitfires with the signing of free agent defenceman Jalen Chatfield.
A 1996-born player from Ypsilanti, Michigan, Chatfield spent the last two seasons with the Belle Tire U-18 program in Detroit.
Last year, he put up 11 goals and 15 assists along with 40 penalty minutes in 37 games played, a signifcant boost from the three goals and 18 assists he posted in 2012-13. Chatfield, 18, 6'0, 180 pounds, is described as "an elite skating defenseman with good puck skills that sees the ice extremely well and makes good puck decisions."
"I'm an offensive player," Chatfield said. "I like the skate the puck up and join the rush." Asked why he chose to join the Spitfires, foregoing a chance to skate in the USHL, Chatfield said he was impressed when he learned more about the club's recent history.
"I was supposed to play with Madison. But then I talked to my advisor. I learned a lot about Windsor. The back-to-back Memorial Cups. And how they move a lot of players along to the NHL. And it's close to home. So the decision became easy. I am extremely happy to be joining the Spitfires."
Chatfield fills a number of needs, according to the GM.
"He's a mobile kid. A right-handed shot. He can skate and can move pucks," Rychel said. "We need to get the puck out of our end a little better. Jalen will help with that. He's a good all-around player. It's going to take him a while to get used to our league. But when he does, he should be a very good player. We're happy to have him."
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