A few hours north of Prudential Center, you will find the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York, home of the New Jersey Devils American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets.
There, 21-year-old winger Chase Stillman continues to develop his craft and work toward becoming the player the organization wants him to be.
Ahead of a demanding schedule that includes three games in three days, Stillman spoke to The Hockey News for an exclusive Q&A to discuss his development, confidence, and more.
The Hockey News: Now that you have 96 professional games under your belt, do you feel that your draft selection still hangs over your head, or are you of the belief that once you’re drafted, your selection doesn’t matter and it is about becoming the player the organization wants you to be?
Chase Stillman: I think the pressure is always a little bit there. I have had a little bit of pressure taken off of me by management and my coaching staff (regarding) what I have to do to get to the next level.
I guess it is always in the back of your mind for fans, (media), and stuff like that. If you are not lighting it up and doing stuff in that sense, people are always going to say, he shouldn’t have been drafted there or whatever.
I don’t know; the older you get, the more you mature, you realize that none of that actually matters. All that matters is who picks you, the team you are playing for, and what they want you to do. It is always there, but at the same time, I guess (that pressure) gets smaller and smaller. Even going into the draft, I wasn’t really concerned about where I was getting selected.
THN: Someone recently told me that it is not good when a player plays it safe and that safe is death in hockey. As a player, how do you distinguish between playing a safe game and a reliable game?
Stillman: It is funny; I actually write “SID” in my gloves, which means safe is death. It is just a little reminder to just play the game.
Honestly, I think I fell into a little bit of that this year. We started off 0-13, and you fall into a little bit of a trap where it is like I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t the reason why we lost at that time. So, you get away from your game a little bit, and eventually, that becomes a habit, and it is tough to get out of.
Eventually, you have to realize you have to play your game. That is why you are here. I am actually glad that you brought this up because it is a good reminder of what I am trying to tell myself. You can’t be scared to make a mistake. You have to trust your abilities to make a play, trust your skating, and do all those things. Honestly, that is one of the things I am still trying to work on: being confident and not worrying about making mistakes.
THN: Following up on that, how long does it take to figure out how to balance playing an aggressive game vs. being reliable where you are not overly aggressive to the point you are out of position?
Stillman: Yeah, I think it all depends on the individual as well. Some guys are going to get a little bit more of a leash than others. If they are very offensive, it is almost as if they can outscore their mistakes. For others, it is the complete opposite, where if they don’t score a lot, they really want to be in that defensive mindset, so it gets really hard if something goes wrong.
I think there is always that fine line in sports of being confident in your abilities and knowing that whatever you usually think is the right play at the start is the right play. You know, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. There is a fine line (between) doing what you want all the time and what you should be doing.
For the most part, I like to think that the first play you see is probably the right play. It is usually when you hesitate or try to do one extra thing that (a problem) comes up. In my eyes, I don’t worry too much about being out of position or things like that because, in the moment, it all happens so fast, and if I think it is the right play, I am always going to think it is the right play in the moment.
THN: Are you playing and developing into the role you initially envisioned?
Stillman: I think so.
Going into my draft year, I tried to be as genuine of a player and person as I could be. I grew up in a hockey family, so I already had an idea of what I would be and what it would take for me to play professional hockey.
You know, New Jersey was always very clear about why they drafted me, what I am here for, and what piece of the puzzle I am. I am trying to develop that as much as I can, but at the same time, I am trying to check off all the boxes so I can be more complete. Then, if I do get my opportunity, I can do what they ask of me and expand on that.
THN: Are you happy with where your game is and where it is trending?
Stillman: Yeah, I think so. From my last season to this one, my game has definitely taken strides in overall completeness, and I think my skating has taken another level. I guess I have some physical maturity, but I am still a couple of years away from reaching my maximum physical potential.
In a sense, it has been a very frustrating year with how the team is doing. Going from my last year to this one, statistically, I have gone straight downward, and that has been hanging over my head. At the same time, when I watch games and when I do stuff (I see), my game is getting so much better. I just can’t get any puck luck for a puck to go in.
I have been happy (because) I know I am getting better every day, and I know I am definitely putting in the work to improve.
THN: You just transitioned into my last question. Speaking with former players, they talk a lot about the speed needed to play at the NHL level. Your scouting reports commended your skating ability. Would you say that skating remains one of your strengths, along with having that separation speed?
Stillman: Yeah, I would say so.
It was nice being called up to practice (in New Jersey) and talking with (New Jersey Devils head coach) Sheldon Keefe, who complimented my skating, saying it stands out at an NHL level. I know I am a good skater here, but to hear that from them is nice to hear.
I think that is one of the things that can always get better, too. It is definitely one of my attributes, but it is still something that I am always working on as well.
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