Cale Chimera and Nicholas Vopat are Kootenay International Junior Hockey League players with NHL bloodlines. A rookie with the Princeton Posse, Chimera’s father Jason had a 16-year NHL career with five teams starting with the Edmonton Oilers (1,107 GP, 415 points). Vopat’s father Roman played 133 NHL games with four teams and 12 seasons professionally in Europe. They are the focus of this week’s KIJHL Notebook.
Both players are carving out their own identities in the KIJHL — Chimera bringing energy and pace to a confident Posse group, and Vopat looking to be a physical playmaker.
KIJHL: What has the jump to junior hockey been like for you?
Chimera: Last year I was with OHA Edmonton at U18, and that’s good hockey, especially in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. The jump is a lot faster, every guy can skate and move the puck. I started in the AJHL then came here and you realize everyone in this league is really good too. It’s been fun trying to adapt to the pace and everything.
KIJHL: What led to you coming to Princeton?
Chimera: Torrin White, last year’s head coach-general manager called me and said he thought it would be a really good spot for me. It’s pretty hard not to come here with the community support and the really good guys in the room.
KIJHL: How often does your dad make it out to games?
Chimera: He coaches my sister in Edmonton so he can’t make it too often. He always watches it on FloHockey and he’s always supported me. It’s awesome when he can make it to games. Last weekend he was able to make it to Osoyoos and Merritt, so that was fun. It’s always good seeing your dad in the crowd supporting you.
KIJHL: How much do you talk to your dad about games?
Chimera: Not as much as you’d think. It’s a different dynamic. In the summer, there’s a lot more when we’re sitting around the dinner table talking about skills or random stuff like that compared to the winter. During the season he lets me do my thing. It’s always cool having that resource and being able to pick his brain a little bit. He’ll give me advice from time to time.
KIJHL: What’s his influence been like on you?
Chimera: It’s pretty cool. Growing up I was able to be around the dressing room and see guys like Ovechkin so that was awesome. I’ve always idolized my dad as a hockey player and it was a little different for me because I got to watch him on a big stage and really take it all in. I was able to hang around the rink and see those types of guys, and it was awesome as a kid. That’s pretty much what got me into hockey. I wanted to be like my dad.
KIJHL: Do you try to play like he did?
Chimera: Yeah. He’s a little bigger, but I definitely try to model my game after him. He was a power forward and was a really good skater too. He was a fast guy, so I try to take those attributes — the speed, driving pucks wide, creating chances off the rush. That’s what he was good at.
I want to be a guy that just does it all – play power-play, penalty-kill, score goals. I want to be a guy that can do it all and be a Swiss Army knife. I want to be used at all times and have head coach-general manager Colin Minardi trust me to put me out there whenever it’s needed.
KIJHL: What areas have you seen yourself grow the most this season?
Chimera: I’d say my shot has gotten a lot better. I need to use it more, but it’s improved. My skating has improved too since I’ve put on more muscle (now weighs 165 pounds). Your stride gets stronger, you feel faster and more confident driving the puck. My vision is better too. In junior hockey you’re forced to make plays quicker. It’s been awesome being able to see those plays quicker and make passes.
KIJHL: Nick, how has your season been with the Osoyoos Coyotes?
Vopat: I really enjoy it there, so it’s definitely been different from last year with the new coach. I’ve definitely shown myself throughout these two years that I’ve been with them and I’ve developed a lot from minor hockey so it’s been really fun.
KIJHL: You played a bit with your brother Brayden this season, what was that like?
Vopat: It was definitely cool. The last time I would have played with him would have been in minor hockey. It felt like when we were younger.
KIJHL: How often do you talk to your dad about games?
Vopat: After every game. He asks me how I did, felt, and what I could do better. He gives me something to summarize my game, feedback on what I could do better, what was working and what wasn’t. He used to coach me all through minor hockey, so it was nice. He would always help me out in that aspect if I didn’t really know something, or I wasn’t sure if I was playing well. He’d always reassure me and help me out that way.
KIJHL: Does your dad get out to many games?
Vopat: When we’re closer to where I’m from – Cranbrook. He came out to games in Fernie and Creston. He’s come out to Osoyoos a couple times too, but it’s a far drive. He watches FloHockey all the time.
KIJHL: What type of player are you working to become?
Vopat: More like a playmaking guy, but someone who’s physical as well. I use my speed, physicality, and hockey sense to my advantage.
KIJHL: Would you say your playing style is similar to your dad’s?
Vopat: Yeah. He was a big, physical guy. I’m not the smallest person (6-1, 170 pounds), so I do try and play like that.
KIJHL: In what areas this season do you feel you’ve become a better player?
Vopat: Definitely my ability to see the ice — to find plays. I feel like I’ve gotten better at finding open guys and being able to control the puck in the offensive zone.
Read the latest KIJHL Notebook.
