Steve Chiasson

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Steve Chiasson (April 14, 1967 in Barrie, Ontario, Canada – May 3, 1999 in Raleigh, North Carolina) was a defenseman with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, and Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL Career

Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1985, he was an offensive defenseman who displayed a lot of skill. He was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Mike Vernon in the 1994 off-season. Chiasson spent two and a half seasons with the Flames before being dealt to the Hartford Whalers in 1997 and continued with the team as they became the Carolina Hurricanes the following season. After spending most of the 1998-99 season on the injured list, Chiasson returned for the playoffs and scored a goal in Game 3 of their quarterfinal round with the Boston Bruins, which would end up being his last NHL goal.

Fatal accident

After the Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoffs and returned to Raleigh, Chiasson wrecked his pickup on the way home from a team party at the home of Gary Roberts, killing himself instantly. According to teammate Kevin Dineen, Chiasson refused to call a taxi or accept a ride home, insisting on driving himself despite a blood alcohol content later found to be 0.27, over three times North Carolina's legal limit of 0.08. Chiasson was survived by his wife, Susan, and three young children.

External links

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