Catching up with Alex Chiasson

Right wing Alex Chiasson knows the Dallas Stars have some openings for young players this coming season, and his goal is to land one of them.

“Regardless if they are there or not, you want to go and gain a spot there,” Chiasson said. “Knowing that this year there are going to be a few open, I want to go right in and take one. I’m going to prove to (Joe) Nieuwendyk and the guys that are up there that I deserve it. That’s my main goal. I am not going in to go down to Austin; I want to make the team right away.”

Chiasson, a second round pick (38^th overall) in 2009, wrapped up a three-year stint at Boston University last season and then joined the Texas Stars, playing in nine games and picking up five points (one goals, four assists).

“It really helped the start of my career. I learned how to be a pro,” he said. “It’s different than college because you are on your own a lot. You’ve got to take care of your body, your meals and you schedule. Hockey-wise it was great. It’s different than college. In the AHL and pro hockey there is a lot more structure. I got a lot of ice time and it was a great start to my career.”

Chiasson is attending his third development camp with the Stars, and once it is over he has more work ahead of him. He will be heading to Ontario with some other Dallas prospects to spend time with Gary Roberts, a conditioning consultant for the Stars.

The 21-year-old Quebec native weighed in at 205 pound at development camp and he hopes to be up to 210 pounds when the summer ends.

“I’ve put a lot into my eating habits and my training. You see these guys in the NHL, they are so fit and in such great shape. I’ve bought into this,” Chiasson said. “You see those guys like (Steven) Stamkos and (Jeff) Skinner, they train with Gary and they eat like he says. It definitely pays off. They don’t get as good as that for no reason. I’m a young guy, I am trying to learn. That’s my goal.”