Cody Chasse sure seems comfortable in a Carrot River Outback Thunder uniform.
The Hudson Bay product has four goals and 12 points in six games since joining the local Junior B team in a trade from Fort Knox. The 19-year-old forward had 16 points in 15 games before the trade for Fort Knox.
“I think the points started coming more when I came here because I’m just enjoying it more,” Chasse said. “Being home with guys I grew up playing hockey with and knowing how they play helps me put the stats up.”
Last week the Carrot River squad picked up points in both of their games. The Outback Thunder beat the Prince Albert Titans, 4-2, on the road during the week. On Sunday, they fell to the Saskatoon Westleys, 3-2, in a shootout, also on the road. The Outback Thunder are 12-12-6 on the season. As of Monday, they sat in fifth place in the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s Bob Dybvig Division standings.
Now having earned points in their last three games, the Outback Thunder hope to keep things going this weekend when they host a couple of Saskatoon squads. The Royals visit on Saturday. The league-leading Quakers come to play on Sunday.
In his second game with the Outback Thunder, Chasse scored a hat trick and racked up five points. On Jan. 6 against the Titans, the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder had a four-point night.
“Cody has played at midget AAA and a Junior A level and his hockey sense is definitely something you notice,” said Trevor Logan, Carrot River’s head coach. “Cody makes the smart play more often than not. I think that’s something people don’t notice about him because growing up he has always been a goal scorer so people look for that out of him, but he is more than that.
“That said, Cody is a natural goal scorer and always has been. He has a heavy shot and a strong will to score goals. That combined with being able to find open space for his teammates to hit him with a pass makes him a threat any time he’s on the ice. I don’t believe we have even seen the best out of Cody yet and look for him to finish the season strong.”
The son of Robin and Rebecca Chasse played midget AA for North East and with the midget AAA Prince Albert Mintos. Chasse played 30 games in 2016-17 with the Junior A Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
“Playing in Weyburn really helped my game develop because it made me think quicker and make quicker plays, which is helping me out a lot,” said Chasse, who also played four games with Fort Knox last season.
Chasse is happy to be with the Outback Thunder.
“One thing I’ve really enjoyed about playing Thunder is how they treat their players, and how the players are to each other,” he said. “Always a smile on your face when you walk in the rink.”
Outback Thunder 4, Titans 2
Carrot River used a three goal first period to down Prince Albert for the second straight game on Jan. 9. The Outback Thunder led 3-0 at the first intermission and 4-1 at the second. The Titans scored once in the third period, but were unable to get any closer.
Veteran Nick Peterson led Carrot River with two goals. Kyle Njaa and Drayden Ukrainetz also scored. Tyson Byman made 31 saves on 33 shots. The Titans’ goals both came on the power play. Prince Albert goalie Kory Mirasty had 36 saves.
Westleys 3, Outback Thunder 2 SO
The Outback Thunder picked up a point in the standings in a 3-2 shootout loss on Jan. 14. Carrot River got off to a good start and led 1-0 and 2-1 at the intermissions. The Westleys were able to come back and tie things up. In the shootout, the Westleys managed one goal on two shots while the Outback Thunder were unable to score.
Austin Linnen and Justin Cay did the scoring for the Outback Thunder. Carrot River goalie Kolton Holmen stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced. Saskatoon’s Carson Bogdan had 32 saves.
