When the NHL comes knocking, any player in the American Hockey League must be prepared to answer the call. For second-year pro Michael Chaput of the Springfield Falcons, the feeling of making his NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this season is one he’ll never forget.
“I remember sitting in the locker room next to Mark Letestu and he was just telling me to play my game and things will go well,” Chaput said. “[The team’s veterans] are there to make sure you’re not too stressed out and that you’re confident when you go out there for your first few games.”
A third-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2010 NHL Draft (No. 89), Chaput was acquired by the Blue Jackets in 2011 and was the MVP of the 2012 Memorial Cup, with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The 6-foot-2 center made his professional debut last season with the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, Mass., where he led all Falcons rookies in scoring with 32 points in 73 games. He noted the benefits gained from spending his entire first season as a pro developing in the American Hockey League.
Chaput working to get back to NHL | Blog Hockey Fan Store
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