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Hometown team still Chimera's dream
By Amy Nelson, Special to CNNSI.com BOSTON (Ticker) -- Ever play a game of musical chairs growing up? Well, if making an NHL roster were based on the childhood game, than these days Hamilton Bulldogs center Jason Chimera must feel like he was the one without a seat when the music stopped. After being drafted by Edmonton in 1997, Chimera attended training camp with the Oilers for three straight years in hopes of making the parent club. But, each fall, he was sent packing with assurances that his time would come. "You're that close, but you're that far away, too," said Chimera. "You have to come down to earth with a positive frame of mind and keep on going." The Edmonton native is getting closer, and he knows it. As a kid who had the fortune of watching idols like Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri play up close, instead of through a television screen like other youngsters in the 1980s, Chimera continues to labor towards his dream. Endurance and speed have never been a problem for Chimera, widely considered to be the fastest player on AHL ice. And, according to his former General Manager back junior hockey, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Chimera can outlast anyone. "He never gets tired," said Medicine Hat Tigers GM Rick Carrier, who oversaw Chimera's development for 2 1/2 seasons at the junior level. "He had one speed, either fast or off [the ice]." While swift skating and endurance are strong attributes to one's game, there has to be more. Last season with Hamilton, Chimera registered 54 points in 78 games -- nearly doubling that of his 1999-2000 campaign. Through Wednesday, Chimera ranked second on the team in scoring with 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in 15 games and had accumulated a plus-7 rating. With so many young and talented players within the up-and-coming Oilers organization, Chimera's hopes of making the jump to the NHL that much more difficult. But, feelings of dejection can only be fleeting for a player of Chimera's youth.
"I think everyone knows its my speed out there," said Chimera when asked about his strengths as a player. "But, they also know my work ethic. I work as hard as I can when I'm out there." If he continues his success at the minor league level, Chimera will make it difficult for his hometown team to keep him out of the NHL. This time, Chimera hopes he'll be the one sitting when the music comes to a stop. Q&A with Jason ChimeraQ: What was draft day like for you? A: It was weird. We went all the way to Pittsburgh. You think you're going to get drafted by some warm place like Florida. But, then you get drafted by your hometown team, and its pretty exciting actually. Q: Did you think you were going to be drafted by Edmonton? A: It was a total shock to me. They didn't even talk to me at all. Q: The Oilers have gotten off to a good start this year. Does it make you proud to be part of that organization, or is it a bit frustrating for you because it makes it harder for them to notice what you are doing? A: It's a good thing for Edmonton. I grew up there, so its good to see a winner. I know a lot of the guys on the team, and I'm happy for them. But, we're going to try and concentrate [in Hamilton] to getting off to a good start. Q: In addition to the Oilers getting off to a good start, Calgary is doing very well, too. Does it make you feel like its the '80s all over again? A: Yeah, no kidding! Hopefully, they can both keep it up for the whole year. It will be nice to have the battle of Alberta again. It was awesome when I was a kid. It kind of lost its flavor there for a bit, but hopefully they can get it going they way it used to be.
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