TAKEAWAYS

• Throughout his career, Stillman has relied on the support and guidance of his father and brother, both of whom have had successful careers in the NHL.
• During his debut professional hockey season with the Utica Comets, Stillman gained valuable insights from his head coach Kevin Dineen, who boasts an impressive NHL career.
• Stillman’s skating and confidence have both shown improvement, but he remains determined to continue enhancing his overall game during the offseason.

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Chase Stillman is embarking on a career in professional hockey, following in the footsteps of his family. His father, Cory, achieved great success during his 16 seasons in the NHL, earning two Stanley Cups. Additionally, his older brother, Riley, boasts four NHL seasons and currently plays in the American Hockey League. With such accomplished family members, Stillman has been fortunate to receive guidance from them on what it truly takes to reach the NHL, understanding that each individual’s journey is unique.

During the Devils development camp in July, Stillman revealed, “Contrary to expectations, my brother, a fourth round draft pick, made it to the NHL quicker than my dad, who was picked sixth overall. This just proves that the timing of your success is insignificant; what truly matters is seizing the opportunity and maintaining your position. There will always be someone vying for your job, so it’s crucial to consistently strive for excellence and push yourself every single day.”

Stillman aspires to reach the NHL and he made notable progress in the previous season by gaining experience in professional hockey as a member of the Utica Comets. Alongside adhering to his family’s guidance, Stillman collaborated with Comets head coach Kevin Dineen to enhance his skills and adapt to the demands of this higher level of competition.

Last season, I had the opportunity to collaborate extensively with Kevin Dineen,” Stillman disclosed. “I hold immense admiration for him as a head coach and held him in high regard during his playing days. He embodies the values of traditional methods and displays a resolute nature, having achieved numerous goals.”

Stillman continued by saying that his father was familiar with Kevin Dineen due to his extensive hockey career. His father had advised him that if he played the game the way it was meant to be played, Dineen would respect him. This was the most important lesson he took from their interactions. Dineen’s work ethic and determination were evident throughout his NHL career, which inspired Stillman to adopt a similar mindset. He acknowledged that he would have to work hard and fight for every opportunity, just like Dineen did. Stillman also mentioned that he has been fortunate to receive guidance from Dineen on additional exercises they can do together after and before practice. Being able to model his game closely after someone like Dineen has been an enjoyable experience for Stillman.

This season, the mentorship and hard work of Stillman were evident in his growth. He experienced significant improvement in his skating and felt that he had finally found his stride. As a result, the 2021 First Round pick gained confidence, which was a direct result of his ability to adapt and play both as a center and a wing throughout the year.

Stillman explained that he had some playing time in the middle last year. He believes that was when he began to find his rhythm, as he had more opportunities to handle the puck during the game. Being constantly involved in the action and supporting his teammates gave him a boost in confidence.

Stillman continued, “I find myself fitting into both roles. I prefer to be versatile, like a Swiss Army knife, ready to adapt to any situation. I don’t want to confine myself to one position. Although I have predominantly played as a winger in my career, I have experience playing as a center throughout my time in minor hockey. I genuinely enjoy both positions and identify myself primarily as a forward.”

Despite making progress, the young forward remains determined to enhance various aspects of their game during the off-season.

“For me, a significant portion of the game occurs within the boundaries of the blue lines, and sometimes even beyond the red line,” Stillman clarified. “When playing as a winger, it is crucial to ensure that the first puck you receive is cleanly touched, especially during a hard pass across the ice. This entails swiftly executing moves from the corners and driving straight towards the net. Occasionally, it involves waiting for an optimal opportunity to make a superior play, while other times it necessitates seizing the moment immediately.”

Stillman expressed his satisfaction with his rookie season in the AHL, stating that he believes it was a fairly successful one for him. In terms of statistics and overall performance, he believes it was adequate for his playing style. However, he acknowledges that there is potential for further growth and improvement. Building confidence and seizing opportunities will play a significant role in reaching his full potential. Having completed his first year, he now has the opportunity to dedicate another full summer to training in the gym, focusing on developing his physical strength and working on areas that he was advised to improve upon last year. He eagerly anticipates the start of the upcoming season.