Armstrong native Dylan Chanter was expected to be one of the key returning players for the Merritt Centennials in the upcoming 2013-14 BCHL hockey season.
Instead, the soon-to-be 18-year-old defenceman has decided to join the Fighting Saints of Dubuque, Iowa – one of 16 member-teams in the United States Hockey League.
“The decision was strictly based on my career, and my development as a hockey player,” Chanter said in a phone interview on Monday. “It wasn’t a case of me not liking Merritt. I had two great years there, two of the best years of my life.”
Chanter joined the Centennials as the team’s designated 16-year-old in 2011. Demonstrating emotional maturity and physical strength beyond his years, he quickly became a top-four defenceman for the Cents.
In 123 regular-season and playoff games with Merritt, Chanter scored 13 goals and added 23 assists for 36 points. The six-foot one-inch, 185-pounder also racked up 86 minutes in penalties playing a punishing brand of hockey that delighted Cents’ fans.
Chanter joins a Saints team that “won it all” last year – placing first overall during the regular season (Anderson Cup) and then taking the playoff title (Clark Cup) after defeating the Fargo Force in the finals.
“Their success was definitely a big part of my decision,” Chanter said, “as well as their planned trip to Russia in August for a pre-season tournament featuring some of the best Junior A teams in the world.”
The fact that Chanter already has a hockey scholarship to the University of New Hampshire, starting in the 2014-15 season, also factored into his decision to go Stateside one year early and get acclimatized.
“It’s definitely going to be a new experience and a new opportunity. I’m really excited,” he said.
Chanter’s departure came as a surprise to Centennials’ head coach and GM Luke Pierce.
“We’re disappointed to lose Dylan, that’s for sure,” the Cents’ bench boss said. “I don’t necessarily agree with his decision-making process to go to the USHL, but I still think Dylan is a good person, a good player, and we certainly wish him well.”
Chanter will not be the only BCHL veteran in the lineup for the Fighting Saints come September. Former Surrey Eagle Jordan Klimik, who was set to suit up for the Vernon Vipers this coming season, has also signed on with Dubuque.
“I didn’t know about [Jordan’s] decision ahead of time,” Chanter said. “He had a chance to play on a RBC team (Vernon is the host), so it was a bit of a surprise. I did talk to him afterwards, and his reasons are a lot like mine. He just wants to best prepare himself for a college career. He’s a very skilled player, and I’m excited about playing with him.”
BCHL players “jumping ship” to the USHL and the North American Hockey League is definitely “a concerning thing for our league,” Pierce said. “There is also some risk involved. We certainly hope it works out for Dylan.”
Chanter’s departure leaves the Cents with four returning defencemen: Dane Birks, Tyler Martin, John Saunders and trade acquisition Shane Poulsen. Pierce remains optimistic about his team’s blueline this year.
“We’re moving on. I’m very excited about who we have coming back and the recruits that are looking to make our team,” the coach said.
As for Chanter, his final words were, “A huge thank-you to everyone in Merritt – teammates, coaches, fans, billets – for making my time special. I’ll never forget it.”
