Story Time With Darnell: Daniel Chartrand

Daniel Chartrand was always one of the top players on the teams he played on growing up in Dauphin playing in the minor hockey association.

He had a knack for finding the back of the net while helping his teammates improve their games. As the Dauphin star moved up the rankings, he joined the Parkland U-18 Rangers for the 2013-14 season, scoring 14 times and adding 24 assists. It was an incredible rookie year for Chartrand with the region's lone AAA team, averaging nearly a point per game.

He was back with the team the following year and took his game to the next level, scoring 23 times and totalling 58 points in 44 games. Chartrand helped the Rangers qualify for the playoffs that year and had two goals in four playoff games. He played 92 total games with the Rangers, nabbing 98 points and still thinks of how great a run it was with the team.

"Playing with the Rangers helped me develop in various ways, for starters it was huge to play with and against the best players in the province," said Chartrand. "I grew a ton on the ice and off the ice as well. I cherish those times, playing for the Rangers were some of the best times I have ever had."

During the 2014-15 season, Daniel's last with the Rangers, he was called up to play with the big boys. Daniel grew up watching the Dauphin Kings play and always dreamt of one day playing in the White & Blue in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

That dream came true when he was called up for the team's game on Saturday, February 21, 2015. His first game as a King was a win as the team downed the Neepawa Titans, 3-2. Three days later, Chartrand was back playing with the Kings, this time at Credit Union Place. Dauphin welcomed the then OCN Blizzard to town for a game and Chartrand helped the team post a 3-2 victory.

With two junior games and two wins under his belt, Chartrand was grateful for the opportunity.

"My first game didn't go as planned, almost left the game injured. It was a great experience, a rough and tough game in Neepawa," continued Chartrand. "My second game at home hit differently. I started with Matthew Greening and Tyler Derkach who are two of my best friends. That game meant a lot to me. A ton of chills in that second game, even more than the first. Just two special games to be a part of, meant everything to me."

Chartrand then started the 2015-16 season with the Kings, posting 13 points in 51 games before a 36-point season the following year in 60 games. The Dauphinite was dealt to the OCN Blizzard to begin the 2017-18 season where he had 21 points in 20 games before playing with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and ultimately ending his junior career back in Manitoba that year with the Swan Valley Stampeders.

Daniel played 168 games in his junior career, 113 of which came with the Kings and he is forever grateful for the organization giving him a start.

"I can't even put it into words, it was a surreal experience being a King, that's all I wanted to be growing up, a Dauphin King," said Chartrand. "Seeing them in the community always lit my day up. I remember always playing street hockey and pretending to be a King. Special time of my life and then when I became a King, I wanted to give back to the community just like the players past did when I was younger."

Chartrand Journey Continues:

When his junior career ended, Daniel committed to play NCAA Division 3 hockey with Northland College. Located at the top of Wisconsin, on the south shore of Lake Superior, the Lumberjacks play in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Daniel played three full seasons with the team, playing in 70 games with 16 points.

During the 2021-22 season, Chartrand was joined by another Dauphin star as Andrew Liwiski committed to the program. Andrew went on to play 20 games that season and four years total at Northland College while Chartrand played in 26 games that season.

The two grew up together in Dauphin, Andrew's dad taught Daniel at Ecole MacNeill and they played together on the Parkland Rangers.

"He approached me and asked me how my time was at Northland and I had nothing but great things to say, I consider Northland my second home, it was an incredible place to play and study," said Chartrand. "It was great to have Andrew on board, it's always nice when you have someone you grew up with playing with you."

When the team lost 1-0 on February 19, 2022, they were eliminated from the playoffs and Chartrand's career as a Lumberjack came to an end. He still; however, had a fire burning within and wasn't ready to hang up the skates.

That's when he came across a Facebook message from an agent that said the Port Huron Prowlers were interested in bringing Chartrand into the fold. Daniel packed his bags, went to Michigan and made the team.

"I didn't know anyone there or anything about the league but I just decided to take a chance," said Chartrand.

Playing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), Daniel is now in his third full season with the Prowlers and busted onto the scene posting 25 points in 48 games during his rookie year (2022-23).

"I don't think I sat still from morning skate until puck drop for my first game, I was just taking it all in, it was crazy," continued Chartrand. "I noticed the speed difference right away and how big the men were. You had to keep your head on a swivel. I focused on executing what we were practicing and sticking to our system. We won the game, you can't go wrong with that."

In 46 regular season games last year, Daniel had another 19 points and two points in three playoff games. As Daniel returned to Port Huron this year, he was in the best shape of his life. He had an incredible summer of training and wanted to ramp things up, which is exactly what he has done.

In six games this year, Daniel is fifth in team scoring with four goals and one assist. This past Saturday as the team played and beat the Motor City Rockers, Daniel played his 100th career regular-season game with the Prowlers. He celebrated the special milestone by scoring a goal and adding one assist.

"It feels great. I couldn't have done it without the support from my parents and just the City of Dauphin," ended Chartrand. "Dauphin minor hockey, the Rangers and the Kings all played a big part. Without all that, I wouldn't be here. I'm fortunate enough to play my 100th game, I'm grateful to play the game I love and stay healthy."