Steve Chiasson

Steven Chiasson (April 14, 1967 – May 3, 1999) was a Canadian defenseman with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, and Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL career
Chiasson was born in Barrie, Ontario and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1985, he was an offensive defenceman who displayed a lot of skill. During the 1992-93 NHL season Chiasson recorded a career-high 62 points and represented the Campbell Conference in the NHL All-Star Game. 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 power play goal in Game 5 of their conference quarterfinal round with the Boston Bruins, which would end up being his last NHL goal.

Chiasson was also frequently a member of the Canadian national team, representing them in eight IIHF World Championships over the course of his career.

Fatal accident
On May 3, 1999, after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoffs in Boston and returned to Raleigh, Chiasson wrecked his pickup truck on the way home from a team party at the home of Gary Roberts and was killed on impact. According to teammate Kevin Dineen, Chiasson refused to call a taxicab 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: Michael, Ryan and Stephanie. There is a small statue and plaque in his memory in Millennium Park, Peterborough, Ontario, the town where he was raised. The Stanley Cup was brought to this spot on July 27, 2006, by former Flames teammate Cory Stillman, after Stillman won the Cup with the Hurricanes that season.

The Hurricanes haven't issued Chiasson's #3 jersey since his death. While it hasn't been formally retired, it is understood that no Hurricane will ever wear it again.

Legacy
After his death, the Carolina Hurricanes "established the 'Steve Chiasson Award' to honor the player who best demonstrates determination and dedication."