

This is the type of play NHL teams want to see in their defenseman, the position has evolved and is no longer about shutting your opponent’s down. Chesley shows an ability to create chances with his ability to drive transition, whether it be creating for teammates or for himself. Once he completes the zone entry, he sees that his teammates are in the middle of a quick line change so he keeps the puck himself and generates the shot on goal. On this rush, he skates through the neutral zone and takes the puck into Adrian’s zone on his own. As a blueliner, being able to fly down the ice with elite agility and create your own zone entries is a very valuable asset but turning those zone entries into offensive chances off the rush is what takes a defenseman’s game to the next level.Īnother example of Chesley’s skating ability allowing him to drive transition and create an offensive chance. He uses his skating and edgework to navigate the neutral zone and avoid an oncoming opponent, once in the clear he makes a simple entry pass that eventually leads to the Casey goal. Chesley’s ability to start breakouts with his passing ability is impressive, but it’s his skating and knack for driving transition with his legs that really stand out when you watch him play.Ĭhesley picks up the puck just inside his own blue line and immediately heads up the ice. Teams value a defender’s ability to corral the puck in the defensive zone and quickly transition from the defensive zone to an offensive attack. One of the most important aspects of a two-way defender’s game is his ability to contribute to the transition game.
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He has the full package as a blue liner and if he continues to develop, he could be one of the better defensemen available in the 2022 NHL Draft. Poise and calmness in the defensive game.Shows flashes of being an offensive creator.The ToolsĬhesley brings a ton of tools to the game and looks the part of future top-four defenseman at the NHL level. The 6-foot defender has a pro-ready frame weighing at 194 pounds, meaning he doesn’t have to fill out his frame a lot before heading to the University of Minnesota to continue his post-draft development for the 2022-23 campaign. Now a mainstay with the U18 team, Chesley has carved out a top-four role including both penalty kill and power play time. Mary’s AAA program at both the 14U and 16U levels before joining the National Development Team Program’s U17 roster in the 2020-21 season. He played for the highly touted Shattuck St. Getting To Know ChesleyĬhesley, born in Mahtomedi, MN in February 2004, has had a prestigious path to the USNTDP. Chesley has a loaded toolbox that makes him highly-touted, featuring high-end two-way potential, elite skating ability, transition driving play and the ability to play in all situations. While Simon Nemec is the head and shoulders top-ranked defender in the class, Chesley is in the thick of the conversation when it comes to the No. The United States National Team Development Program features two of the top defensive prospects, one being the flashy Seamus Casey and the other being the steady Ryan Chesley. One of the emerging themes surrounding the 2022 NHL Draft is that the class features a ton of talented, right-handed two-way defenseman.


The Analysis: A deep look at Ryan Chesley’s game
