Former Oiler comes out of retirement, signs tryout contract with Detroit Red Wings

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Liam McCormick
September 18, 2024 (5:17 PM)

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The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they've signed 33 year old forward Alex Chiasson to a tryout contract.

Chiasson will have a tall task to earn a contract with the Red Wings after not playing professional hockey at all last season. He had signed a tryout contract with the Boston Bruins, but was cut from the team at the end of training camp. In Detroit, he'll have to beat out players like Michael Rasmussen, Joe Veleno, Tyler Motte, or Christian Fischer - which feels extremely unlikely.

Drafted in the second round by the Dallas Stars in 2009, Chiasson went on to play 651 career games with 7 different teams, scoring a respectable 233 points. Chiasson spent three seasons with the Oilers between 2018 and 2021, and actually had a career-best 22 goal season with Edmonton. The 6'4 winger had the ability to play physical and score goals around the front of the net, but consistency was always an issue for him.

In other tryout contract news today, the Edmonton Oilers signed 33 year old forward Mike Hoffman to a tryout contract. A veteran of over 700 NHL games, Hoffman will be hard pressed to actually make the Oilers roster unless he comes out really flying in preseason. If anything, he may be trying to impress another team into signing him.

Trying to make another comeback after missing an entire season at 33 years old shows the level of dedication Chiasson has to get back into the NHL. Oilers fans will certainly be rooting for him with his opportunity, or in the next chapter of his life after hockey.